PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21456, 24 April 1935, Page 12

PUBLIC QUESTIONS

* VIEWS OF ORANGE LODGE The following resolutions, which were submitted by its public questions committee, were adopted by Grand Lodge, Loyal Orange Constitution, sitting in Timaru:— 'Recognising that broadcasting has become a national institution capable of exercising great and beneficent influences, this Grand Lodge urges upon th'j; Broadcasting Board, now newly appointed, the necessity to maintain a strict impartiality on religious and doctrinal questions. The Protestant community has had valid grounds on occasions for strong objections to the programmes and services as being discriminatory and inequitable to the great majority of'the people of this Dominion."

"The general unrest and sense of insecurity which prevails have created an atmosphere in which great political changes may be effected at the approaching general elections. The confused position of the political situation and the organisation of Roman Catholic action will tend to confuse the electorate, and unless there is steady allegiance to the great principles of British democracy the results of the elections may cause grievous harm to this Dominion and retard its economic recovery and general progress. This Grand Lodge therefore calls upon the members of the institution and invites the Protestant electors to take an active part in the selection of candidates whose allegiance to the principles of liberty, security, and good faith is assured. Protestant electors are urged to disregard party claims, since the leaders of the present parties have proved unworthy of Protestant support, and to seek thq election to Parliament of men in whom confidence may be reposed." "This Grand Lodge, while approving the decision of the Government to advance the school age to six years on the grounds of economy, urges that the Budget surplus and the partial restoration of salary and wages cuts indicate the opportunity to return to the former position of admitting children to the State schools at five years of ago. This Grand Lodge, therefore expresses the opinion that the cut as applied to the children, should be one of the first removed."