Methodists Fear Wider Conflict

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31522, 9 November 1967, Page 1

Methodists Fear Wider Conflict

(Netr Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, November 8.

The Methodist Church will tell the Government it fears that the Vietnam war may escalate into a wider and more disastrous conflict.

At the annual conference of the Church in Dunedin, it was also decided to tell the Government of the concern felt about “the appalling loss of life and destruction of property in Vietnam,” and of its decision to appeal to all parties to go to the conference table. The conference rejected by 94 votes to 58 an amendment from Mr A. C. Barrington (Nelson) that would have replaced the appeal for a peace conference by an appeal to the Government to withdraw from the war.

Mr Barrington said America was clearly the aggressor, and the Government of New Zealand should be urged to dissociate itself from United States policy by withdrawing its troops. Opposing the amendment, the Rev. S. R. Goudge (Waipawa-Waipukurau) said the Methodist Church was as divided on the issue as the community was, and this conference must make statements which reflected the views of the Church as a whole.

His views were supported by other speakers. The Rev. K. H. Russell (Levin), however, said the meeting was a conference of the Church and could make its own decisions. “We are

not here as representatives of the membership of the Church,” he said, supporting the amendment.