PRAYERLESS FAREWELLS TO TROOPS

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23052, 21 June 1940, Page 14

PRAYERLESS FAREWELLS TO TROOPS

TO THE EDITOB OB THE PRESSSir .—Many members of the Expeditionary Force and numerous citizens have expressed deep disappointment that at the civic farewells to departing soldiers no provision- was made for a prayer, commending the men of the forces to the care of the Almighty. It is stated that the Defence Department lays down the procedure for the civic authorities to follow. That department says that the omission of prayer is the fault of the churches because of reasons which apparently do not operate in Wellington and otherwhere. That most of our churches can pray together was demonstrated last Wednesday by their use in common of the Cathedral for a day of intercession. Almost every citizen would appreciate at these farewell assemblies prayer led/by a representative of any Christian communion, without regard to his denominational affiliation. If prayer is to, be excluded from future civic farewells the officer commanding this district should publicly give some satisfying reason for maintaining the ban.—Yours, etc., / M. A. RUGBY PRATT. June 20, 1940. TO THE EDITOR O T THE PRESS. Sir;— Many' will join the Methodist district executive in regretting that notwithstanding that Bishop- WestWatson and Bishop Brcdie and other clergymen were on the platform at the last public farewell to the troops, no public prayer was offered. I believe- that a large proportion of the soldiers would have welcomed it—men usually silent on these rnbtters —and that it would have afforded solace to parents who were seeing their boys off to the war, some perchance not to return. The explanation of the Defence authorities, we are told; is that denominational differences make it difficult. That this is a superficial excise/of small moment is proved by the remarkable demonstration of church unity which filled the Anglican Cathedral throughout the whole of yesterday. All those participating in this leadership would surely be glad if Archbishop West-Watsori were given a place in the Official programme of the next farewell.—Yours, etc., A METHODIST. June 20. 1940.