‘No Single Answer On Vietnam’

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30795, 6 July 1965, Page 14

‘No Single Answer On Vietnam’

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 5. There was no single Christian answer on Vietnam, the Bishop of Wellington! the Right Rev. H. W. Baines) said in his charge to the Wellington Anglican Synod this afternoon.

“Yet Christians may not use this as an excuse for standing aloof or for dispair,” he “We must be involved, as Christ our Lord is involved,” said Bishop Baines. He spoke of a determination to discover the facts about the Vietnam crisis, to continue in prayer for all involved in it; and to make up our minds on the basis of the most reliable information we can find. “The main responsibility here lies on the Government to give the people trustworthy information. This would be true at any time in a democracy; it is especially true in the circumstances of today. It also meant “A continuing attempt to keep up with the developing situation, and as responsible citizens to contribute towards national policy by expressing informed opinion on the plans announced by the Government. "As responsible citizens to support the Government, and where we disagree with Government policy to use every constitutional means to change the policy. “To impress upon the Government the need to use their influence in support of every policy and plan to solve the crisis by negotiation.

“To use every means to create and maintain contact between Christians in Vietnam especially with a view to joining them to aid victims of the war. In this we are all indebted .to Mr Perry, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, for his initiative to use the East Asia Christian Conference as an agent of Christian compassion and to facilitate free negotiation at the conference table. “To demonstrate our compassion by simultaneously stepping up our add to Vietnam and other underdeveloped countries.” The younger generation would have its own opinions about this and other matters of social ethics, said Bishop Baines.