NATIONAL CONGRESS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 155, 29 March 1937, Page 6

NATIONAL CONGRESS

British Israelites

The eighth annual national congress of the New Zealand Federation of the British Israel-World Federation beg.an on Saturday in 'Wellington. About 40 delegates were present, as well as representatives from Australia. The sittings began under the chairmanship of Mr. F. B. Anyon, deputy-president of the' federation, and resumed in the afternoon under the chairmanship of the New Zealand president, Mr. C. W. Clift. The proceedings were opened with pr.ayer, at the conclusion of which the chairman spoke of the death of Dr. AA. Pascoe Goard, chairman of the world council. . Greetings were received from branches in London, Melbourne, Sydney, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania. A deputation from congress was received by Professor J. Shelley, Director of National Broadcasting, in the absence of the Minister. In the reports from branches it was disclosed that in consequence of the regular broadcasting from Auckland, Dunedin, and Napier, an ever-widening circle of listeners was showing its interest and appreciation by applying for literature dealing with the subjects broadcast. The lectures were similar to those going over the air in America, Scandinavia, and other parts of the Commonwealth of Nations, and had engendered no antagonism from any section of the listening public. The fact that New Zealand was sending two students to the British-Israel College at Harrow Weald Park, London, for a period of study was favourably commented upon. It was reported that the continued increase in the number of unorthodox groups using the title of British-Israel had caused the national executive to make an investigation. A legal opinion had been secured, and was tabled. After discussion it was agreed to take action with a view to preventing the title being exploited by unauthorised bodies.

The board of publications disclosed in its report that the sale of literature was satisfactory. It was stated that hundreds of Maoris in the Dominion were convinced of their middle East origin, and tliat many claimed to be of the Seed of Abraham. The Dominion secretary was given authority to accede to requests from Maori citizens to deliver addresses on British-Israel truth. The secretary stated that the death of Dr. Goard would probably be responsible for the postponing of the world congress next May. At that congress, representatives from each Dominion, the U.S.A., Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Finland, France, Belgium, etc., would be present. It would be the first occasion since biblical times that such a gathering of Israel had occurred. New Zealand would be represented, and the questions discussed would not be confined to spiritual teachings. A memorial service to the late Dr. W. Pascoe Goard, LL.D., F.R.G.S., F.R.E.S., president of the National Council of the British-Israel-AVorld Federation, and vice-president of the New Zealand federation, was held yesterday afternoon.

The Rev. R. Raine, Brooklyn, conducted the service, portions of Scripture being read by Air. C. AV. Clift (president of the New Zealand federation), and Major E. E. Barrows (Dominion secretary). A solo was sung by Mrs. Nicholson.