A CHAPLAIN FOR PAPARUA PRISON

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22196, 13 September 1937, Page 6

A CHAPLAIN FOR PAPARUA PRISON

TO THE EDITOB 0» THB rttEBS I Sir, —The Christchurch Presbytery this week had under consideration In ' what way it cculd increase its usefulness in dealing with prisoners who, tor seme reason or another, And their : social liberties interfered with by the , State. A committee was set up, I read. .o develop a working scheme in order ;o cover a larger tract of Christian j jervice. This approach is most com- < nendable, as I think that such work < is most suitable for the Christian i Church to undertake. At the moment ] the good work that is being done is more or less of an inefficient character, rhe Methodist Church was recently ! •onsidering this particular class of service to the prisoners. It is just here I ' >vish to throw out a suggestion. I am j lot bold enough to say that prisoners lave any definite religious attachnents. I have met, occasionally, men vho could sing hymns vigorously and epeat Scripture volubly, but to say t hat such prisoners were Anglican, , 'resbyterian, Methodist, or Baptist Vould be a travesty of -the facts. J I believe that this field of service i :an best be" undertaken jointly by all i he churches, excluding none. We t

; i often speak about the possibility of union, which is certainly an ideal, but not immediately practicable. Now, could I suggest that some effort shall j be made for co-ordinated effort on the part of all the churches to evolve a scheme purely for the benefit of these j unfortunate individuals who are obI ligcd to spend varying periods of time in State institutions. If Christian union is remote, may I respectfully ask that some working plan may be produced by the heads of the churches interested in this social service called together to discuss an appointment for the Paparua Prison and similar institutions —Yours, etc., MOSES AYRTON. , Methodist Parsonage, Tai Tapu. September 10, 1937.