Clergy Told To Get Facts

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31761, 19 August 1968, Page 26

Clergy Told To Get Facts

Clergymen and others should equip themselves with facts before “pontificating” on the crime rate in New Zealand, said the chaplain at Paparua Prison (the Rev. I. Hopkins) at the annual conference of the National Council of Churches in Christchurch on Saturday.

"The Secretary of Justice (Dr J. L. Robson) has said there has been a drop in the

serious crime rate in New Zealand over the last 100 years,” Mr Hopkins said.

“Information is available from Justice Department publications on this subject. “Instead of making pronouncements about the crime rate, the Church should be behind preventive work and proper counselling to combat the probability of crime,” Mr Hopkins said. The council decided to send a letter of appreciation to Dr Robson for his assistance to prison chaplains. Industrial Chaplaincy.—lt was decided to set up a mission in industry. A fulldime organiser will be appointed and an industrial mission team will be established The Rev. 0. Kitchingham, N.C.C. chaplain at Manapouri, said that there was a need for such an establishment. Ratana Church. —Mr R. Tirikatene, an elder of the Ratana Church presented greetings from his church to • the meeting. It was the first time the Ratana Church had been invited to attend the conference. Mr Tirikatene said he felt there was a growing together of the N.C.C. and the Ratana Church.

Omega Issue.—The council will ask the Government for an assurance that New Zealand will not engage in any kind of nuclear activities without full public consultation. The subject was raised during discussion on the proposals to establish the Omega radio station in the Southern Alps.

Finance.—The council had a deficit of $3209 for the last financial year. Expenditure for the year was $27,182. It was decided that an increase of 25 per cent in contributions from member churches would be sought for 1970. Dobson Mine.—A resolution expressed concern at the proposed closure of the Dobson mine. Any “satisfactory scheme” to help the residents of the area will be supported by the council. Marriage Laws.—A commission, comprising Messrs N. Buchanan, J. Morrison, K. R. Daniels, Mrs I. Hopkins, and the Revs K. Faletoese, W. M. Davies, J. B. Dawson and I. McKenzie, will discuss five bills on marriage and related subjects at present before Parliament.

Television Commission.— Subject to approval from constituent member churches, the council’s television commission will become an autonomous body. Officers —Officers elected were: President, the Rev. W. 8. Dawson; vice-president, Dean W. Hurst; executive, the Rt Rev. W. A. Pyatt, the Ven. W. M. Davies, the Revs R. M. Rogers, L. J. Jones, W. R. Laws, Mrs M. E. Hayman, the Revs A. H McLeod, I. Ogier, K. Faletoese, Mrs M. Morrison, Lieutenant-Colonel L. Millar: treasurer, Mr J. A. McAlister.

Next Venue.—The annual conference will be held in Gisborne next year, from July 30 to August 2.