Indonesian Church Party Recalled

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 1

Indonesian Church Party Recalled

Thirty-five representatives of the Indonesian Council of Churches who were to visit Australia and New Zealand next week have been recalled. No reason has been given.

The Rev. D. M. Taylor, secretary of the National Council of Churches in New Zealand, last evening received a cablegram from the Australian Council of Churches saying that the Indonesian Council of Churches had requested its representatives already in Australia to return home immediately. How many had reached Australia is not known in New Zealand. “There have been frequent changes in plans, causing a great deal of work which is now apparently wasted,” said Mr Taylor, “At various times varying numbers were expected in. New Zealand, but the latest figure was four, including the general secretary of the Indonesian Council of Churches (the Rev. Simon Marantika).” The cablegram from Australia said “Marantika not arriving. Indonesian council

requested others to return. Regret unable to send any to New Zealand.” “Naturally there will be great disappointment among church people in New Zea< land,” said Mr Taylor. “Hundreds of people in 10 cities are still making preparations because they have not heard this bad news.” “We need this face-to-face meeting with representatives of the Christian church In Indonesia, and they need such an encounter with us,” said Mr Taylor. “The Australian churches will be even more disappointed because they had made even greater efforts to break down the barriers between themselves and the churches in their nearest-neighbour country. In this time of political tension and minor crises, this genuine goodwill mission was badly needed.”