World Council of Churches

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32407, 21 September 1970, Page 14

World Council of Churches

Sir,—While it is always i pleasing to read the concern j of immigrants like Walrus , for world affairs compared . with that of the majority of , native New Zealanders, it is ( a pity that their concern is , so often misplaced. The state- , ment that the grant could j well be used for terrorist ac- , tivities is interesting. While ] we hear much about “ter- i rorist violence” we seem to j take as normal the breaches < of human rights and intimida- { tion that the State causes ■ every time a citizen is discriminated against because of colour. Pass inspections of Africans but not of whites is only one discrimination. . I would remind “Walrus” that the first Christian, Jesus Christ, spoke out about the hypocrisy of established religion. He was described as a rabble-rouser, agitator, and associate of the “unclean.” He was finally given a murderer’s death. Apparently man has learnt little since then!—Yours, etc., , M. O’NEILL. 1 September 19,1970.

Sir,—The World Council of Churches decision to support the African terrorists is a boost for communism and will have far-reaching effects on the Christian movenjent as a whole. Their efforts for combating persecution and racialism would be better employed in many other parts of the world such as India, South America and most of the newly-independent African States which for some strange reasons have been overlooked. What is termed oppression in South Africa and Rhodesia is in fact a form of protection for the underdeveloped and most backward race in the world who would otherwise be easy prey for international creditors. The black African appreciates this fact and realises that only a strong and dedicated South African will protect him from future total enslavement by a foreign power.—Yours, etc., X.U.K. September 18, 1970.