M.R.A. Seen As Ideology To Combat Communism

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30836, 23 August 1965, Page 10

M.R.A. Seen As Ideology To Combat Communism

“I believe New Zealand must give whole-hearted support to America in South Vietnam. In addition to military and economic aid there must be an ideological force to combat the ideology of Communism. Moral Rearmament is such an ideology,” said Professor J. E. Caughey, who discussed Moral ReArmament on an international scale at an M.R.A. conference held in Christchurch on Saturday. Professor Caughey. who is a professor at the Mosul Medical College in Iraq, described the impact of M.R.A. on the world situation. He said that M.R.A.-was the only force which could bring unity to the Communists and the Free World. “I do not believe that Communism can succeed because it is an ideology based on hate but I believe that the materialism of the West is just as grave. There must be changes on both sides but M.R.A. will be the cementing force which units the free world.” Miss A. Harawira who has travelled with M.R.A. plays on five continents described her work as a “fascinating and adventurous task facing the new generation.” She said that through M.R.A. she had developed a conscience about the way her country lived. The theatre of M.R.A. was the blueprint of the theatre of tomorrow. It was one way of passing on ideas. “I have a vision for New Zealand which is fast becoming a multi-racial country,” said Miss Harawira. “I believe I have an answer to the hates, the griefs and the hurts because I have that weapon which can fight hate.”

Other speakers commented j ithat M.R.A. with its absolute i i standards of honesty, purity. ! i unselfishness and love had given them a new purpose in life. Mr J. Hodder, an engineering graduate of the University of Canterbury, who has been working for M.R.A. in America for five years de-1 scribed it as a new spirit, in terms of an aim and a pur-! pose for young people around! the world. Mr A. Lew. son of the' Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand said that M.R.A. was a way of life and an alternative to Communism. It was! the only ideology which was able to unite colour, class and creed. A short film entitled “Where do we go from I here” reiterated the maxim that absolute standards of honesty, purity, unselfishness and love were the only standards by which society should be guided. Delegates from Wellington. Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin attended the conference which was held in the National Party rooms. The chairman was Mr N. Cooper, a student at the University of Canterbury.