“PETTY TYRANNY”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 249, 19 September 1929, Page 8

“PETTY TYRANNY”

ELABORATE AUSTRAL BAN. LAWSUIT - POSSIBLE. “I consider it a disgraceful business, and a petty form of tyranny to penalise Florence Austral because I was divorced,” said Mr John Amadio, the husband of Florence Austral, the Australian 6inger. referring do the action of the Worcester Cathedral authorities in barring his wife from taking part in the “Three Choirs Festival,” because her husband was divorced. “Liko many other people in the world, I made a mistake in my first marriage, but was legally separated before I knew Florence. Mv first wife has since remarried. All this happened years ago. “In the meantime Florence has sung at Norwich and Leeds at religious festivals. It is a pity the Worcester people are less charitable than those of other cathedral cities. Florence is not aware, even to-day, of tho reason of the Worcester ban, because I have not informed her. She is so sensitive, and it would upset her too much. GOING TO AUSTRALIA. “I handle ail her business, and simply told her the reason that she could not appear in. Elijah’s ‘Messiah’ at Worcester was because she must prepare tor her Canadian-American tour, for which she sails on September 28. “She will return to Britain in January for a celebrity tour of England. We are going to Australia in March for a tour ot 38 concerts, opening in oydney early in May. Florence Austral left Australia in 1918. She was then unknown, but she is returning with a world-wide name. She is bubbling with excitement at the anticipation of her return to Australia. It will be the thrill of her lifetime when she sings again to her ain folk,” said Mr Amadio. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS? “The Worcester authorities’ action is a terrible indictment against the Church,” said Mr Amadio to an Evening News representative. “They have adopted ail attitude reminiscent of the tyranny of mediaeval times. Who can now say that the Church lias progressed in understanding people? 1 wonder if the Church things it helps the world by this aloofness? “How dare the Church criticise us! Suppose we had been not sufficiently brave or moral to take the matter into the courts, and lived like so many others, instead of legalising affairs? VVhat is the Church’s answer to that question. Its treatment of my wife makes it difficult to believe that there is anv comfort in religion,” added Mr Amadio. “She has done much for the Church by singing at charity concerts, and had agreed to greatly reduce her fees for the Worcester festival. I had previously decided not to take legal proceedings against the Worcester authorities, owing to the harmful publicity, but now I mu6t reconsider the matter.” “I have nothing to say on tho matter,” said Dr.. Moore Ede, Dean of Worcester. “I am not interested in anything that Mr Amadio may say.”