ANTAGONISM TO WAR

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21329, 23 November 1934, Page 8

ANTAGONISM TO WAR

METHODIST SYNOD'S ATTITUDE DISCUSSIONS AT SESSION LAST EVENING Three recommendations expressive of antagonism towards the forces making for war and whole-hearted support of the work for peace, were discussed at the concluding session of the North Canterbury Methodist District Synod last evening. There was a vigorous debate on the possibility of instruction in the schools to inculcate peaceful ideas, and there was some dispute between members who regarded ''peace" as implying "pacifism," and those who did not approve such a definition. The Rev. Clarence Eaton was in the chair. The Rev. A. H. Fowles moved: "That this Synod should recommend conference strongly to urge on the Government the necessity for teaching peace in the schools, and creating a will to peace, and not a will to war." The Rev. T. Coatsworth said that the difliculty was that when an enemy attacked the country such resolutions were not worth the paper they were written on. Mr Frank Thompson: These resolutions are at least educative, and will do in the meantime. Mr M. Kershaw said that at the schools masters were seen dressed in khaki and boys in cadet uniforms. Were those boys to be taught ideals of peace? They were being taught how to kill their fellows, and the two tliin;;s would not mix. Mr S. R. Evison: Wearing khaki docs not necessarily mean the promotion of war. Preparation for defence is an essential step towards peace. "Do you suppose the teachers in the State schools are going to teach pacifism?" said the chairman. "You can make up your minds to it that they will not. Some of you mean by peace, pacifism, and that it is wrong to stand by one's country in any extremity. Nothing needs to be clarified more in the minds of Christian people than the question of justifiable war. Wc are not pacifists—l am not a pacifist. People call themselves pacifists without realising what is involved. There is a good deal of confused thinking on this point." The motion was withdrawn. Armaments and War The Rev. E. Drake moved: "That since conference has declared its belief that resort to war is not in harmony with the spirit of Christ, and is a crime against humanity, this Synod reiterates its abhorrence of the increasing output of armaments, and indignantly protests against the fact, as proved by the League of Nations, that international armament firms are intent on thwarting all efforts for peace, and are a distinct factor iir creating war. Such .efforts trade on the fear, suspicion, injustice, and selfishness of the nations, and tend to precipitate a catastrophe. This Synod therefore pleads that both governments and people shall turn from thoughts of rearmament and direct their efforts to the strengthening of the League of Nations and other organisations for peace, and to cultivate the spirit of peace among ourselves in our immediate environment. This Synod also protests against such speeches and publications as tend to promulgate the spirit, of war, or suggest that war is inevitable." "War is nothing more than national and racial suicide," said the Rev. W. Grigg, "and though there are theoretical ditliculties. I feel that while the church is asserting itself on behalf of peace it will act as a deterrent to the war makers. lam convinced that those who are interested in the manufacture of armaments constitute one of the main causes of war." The recommendation was approved. Conscientious Objection The Rev. A. H. Fowles moved: "That this Synod urges conference to reaffirm its support of the principle that members of the Methodist Church who for conscientious reasons refuse to carry arms or to participate in war should have their religious principles honoured." This recommendation was approved after a brief discussion.