DEEP CONCERN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 39, 15 February 1930, Page 9

DEEP CONCERN.

SOVIET IRRELIGION.

British Anxiety Over Reported

Persecution.

DIPLOMATIC COMPLICATIONS

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, February 14,

. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Arthur Henderson, was asked in the House of Commons yesterday by Mr. G. Locker-Lampson, formerly Under-Secretary to that Department, whether he would take immediate isteps under Article 11 of the covenant of the League of Nations to bring before the League the question of conditions affecting leligious liberty in Russia. Mr. Henderson replied: "The reports current about the religious situation in Russia have caused widespread, and deep concern in this and other countiies. They.are receiving the serious consideration of the British Government. "I have grave doubts whether the course suggested by the member would promote the object which he has in view. However, the House may rest assured that the Government, when possible or compatible with the interests of those affected, will use all its influence m support of the cause of religious libei ty and the freedom of religious practice. In reply to a further question Mi. Henderson said he was now awaiting a report from British representatives in Russia on the religious situation. In the House of Lords the Government was asked by Lord Hayter if ;t had called the attention of the Soviet Government to the fact that its action against the Christian churches and people of Russia was not in accord with the British principle of justice and could not assist in maintaining- friendship between Britain and Russia.

The Primate, Dr. Cosmo Lang, said this matter concerned him directly, both officially and personally. _ He referred to a solemn , protest against religious persecution in Russia which he had made at the meeting of the Convocation of Canterbury 011 the previous day in the name of the Church of England and to the resolution of the bishops endorsing that protest. Dr. Lang added, however, that the bishops desired to dissociate their protest from the political issues which had been made.' They felt that the force of their protest in the name of religion and humanity would be greater if it could not be regarded as part of any political movement. Political Difficulty. Lord Parmoor, in replying for the Government, said lie would not seek to deny the great importance of the question. It raised points of great difficulty and responsibility, however. He agreed with the Primate that it was their duty to inquire into the accuracy of the statements which had been made about the position in Russia.

The primary difficulty from the political standpoint was that while Britain stood for religious liberty and against religious persecution she had to consider the matter from the constitutional position and t allow in other countries the same liberty in matters of internal and domestic policy that she claimed for herself. It had been made the basis of any agreement which might be made between Britain and Russia that Britain should not interest herself in matters of internal or domestic concern., In. common with,all-parties in Britain the Government was fundamentally opposed to any form of religious persecution and it desired to promote by every legitimate means the sacred cause of freedom for all form of religious thought and action. But it must be very careful what it did so that in the result it did not cause injury by increasing the persecution of the very persons whom it desired to protect. The Foreign Secretary would do all he could in the matter.