WHAT SAYS THE CHURCH?

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 226, 22 September 1915, Page 6

WHAT SAYS THE CHURCH?

ANXIOUS TO HELP, BTTT HEART TO HEART TALK WITH EXECUTIVE. The united churches strongly object to the art union aspect of "the. impending carnivul because they fear that it Will develop the gambling spirit in the community. Until this point has been finally decided it is withholding its seel of approval from the carnival. A protest is to be plainly put before the « ecutive of the Patriotic Association tomorrow in a manifesto which is being prepared, the contents of which are being kept secret for the present. Representatives of the Church declare themselves to be anxious to help, but Bo far there is no hint as to what their attitude will be in the event of the executive finding it inexpedient to grant their request. Alluding to the combined meeting ol the Clergy and the Ministers' Associati n. held "yesterday, the Bishop of Auek laud (Dr. A. \V. Av.rilll told a -Star" representative this morning that the unanimous desire of the meeting was to do everything it possibly could to help forward the patriotic appeal. "The object of the meeting to morrow is to discuss with the patriotic committee the way in which we can throw all our energies into the work nnd help most usefully." said his Lordship "There is no question of threat about our attitude in regard to the art unions—just thn opposite. We just want to put our point of view before the committee." OPPOSED TO SPECIAL EFFORT Asked whether there was a disposition on the purl t.f the meeting in the event of the committed finding it impossible ;Vo drop the art unions to consider the advisability of the churches showing their sympathy by organising v special appeal ninongst church people by meib ! ods other than thnee savouring of sperulation, his Lordship said that no decision hail been arrived upon that point, | but personally lie thought thaj was im- I possible. " I do not think it would be practicable." he sai.l. " Our great desire '• i» to create unity, and it is a foolish suggestion that the churches should in any way separate themselves from the rest of the community. The community and the churches are one to a very largo extent, and we want to try to ralfco the ideals of the community. I should fie absolutely no party to any the churches inaugurating an appeal, apart from the rest of the community." ARked what would be tlv* probable attitude of the clergy and ministers' committee in the event of the Patriotic j Association finding it impossible to accede to their representations, his Lordship replied that he eoul.d not anticipate tliat "WV have got to meet the patriotic executive on that ground, and for the present that is the point." NO THREAT OFFERED. "We do not threaten; we are out to make pi-ace." eai.l th* Rev. E. A. Kirwood, president of the .Ministers' A«*ocialionf "We do not want it to get abroad that we are going to run an op position movement. What we feel at present is that If the. matter is put before th« public frntri otir point of view ail tlio moneys required will be forthcoming. We propose to appeal to the highest in our- people and mijke thie movement really an iiniift. Tho feeling amongst minister* and people generally is that we are not taking thia war sufficiently seriously—that the insues are so grave and so far-rearhing that the serious sido , ,of thing* should bo cmpliaeiood, and always emphasised. "We are not now opposrtf to the ear nival. Probably if some of us had had an opportunity of ex|fressing our views we should hive b»en against a carnival when it was first mooted, and have said that it was unworthy of the situation, but now that it has gone co far it would be useless to oppose it. On the other hand, there are thine of us who believe that the carnival Is potent for much good, so that we arc mrt committed to either position. What we are committed to to a man i-i opposition to gambling. Wβ think that the idea of a Canvaseing Committee at instituted by the Patriotic Association is an excellent one, and that an appeal should be made in the city and suburbs and an encouragement given to straight-out giving." PLEASURE RUN RIOT. "We have learned from the south that both in Wellington and Dunedln Carnival Week was a riot of folly. We know the mercurial temperament of the Auckland people, a* illustrated on ( the occasion of tho visit of tne American fleet, and it is that feature. jhat looks co ominous. Fetes, bazaars, festivals—all thc«e arc perfectly justifiable, and we have no quarrel with them. They are amuse- j ment for the people, and bring gain to ■the funds. Hut the carnival idea ac carried out in the south has. been condemned by teachers, ministers, business men, and all sections of the communit) on account of it running riot." Mr. Kir wood added that if the Patriotic Executive turned down their proposals they would have to consider further actioli, but he did not think that the churches would favour a separate movement, as it would multiply organisations and create irritation, and they did not want to do that. "Wo want to work with the Patriotic Association. They are men we admire and rcapect, because of their public capacity," he added. When seen this merning, Mr George Elliot, the chairman of the executive of tho Patriotic Association, si.al that he had noticed the decision of the meeting in the papers, but until the representatives of the churches had met him he preferred not to further discusa the matter. PEOPLE'S DAY. A CHANCE FOR FARMERS. At the daily meeting of the carnival executive, held in thb Shortland Street rooms to-day, a deputation from the Auckland Agrieniturel and Pitstoral Association, consisting of Messrs. Luxford (president) and Fordyce (secretary) was received, and « discussion \ook place on the suggestion to hold a monster People's Day at Alexandra Park on tho last day of Carnival Week in connection with the annual show of the Society. It was proposed that the whole of the show ground, Campbell Park, and the Trotting Club's ground, should be utilised, and that various side attractions should he arranged. It Iβ intended to invite the exhibitors to allow their exhibits to be auctioned Rnd the proceeds given to tho Carnival Fund. If this scheme matures, 1% will obviously be an important finale to tho Carnival Week. The organiser of the carnival, Mr. 0. Cardston, is at present engaged in the Northern Wairoa carnival, and will return to Auckland on Monday next, when he will immediately place himself at tho disposal of any committee requiring his services.