CHURCH & IMMIGRATION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 127, 26 November 1923, Page 8

CHURCH & IMMIGRATION

A RECOMMENDATION FROM PRES-

BYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

(II TEtEORAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHURCH, 23rd Nov. The question of immigration and the Presbyterian Church as a channel through which immigrants could come to the Dominion was mentioned at tha session of the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day. The matter was brought up by the Rev. W. J. Comrie, who moved: "That in view of the large number of immigrants coming to our shores and the; importance of wise influence being exercised and service given in connection with their selection, transport, and settlement, presbyteries be recommended to set up committees to deal with these matters and that the Assembly appoint a committee to keep in touch with other organisations which are dealing with these matters."

. Mr. Comrie stated that the Govern'tnent had made all arrangements for the ! transportation of immigrants, but it had not made provision for their spiritual welfare. Other organisations were taking the matter up, but the Church had | interests in the subject which other organisations had not. It would, perhaps, be advisable to co-operate with the Church at Home in the selection of immigrants. These men would come out here with the advantage of nomination. | If this could be done one of the large ; factories could make a request for, say, fifty hands through the Church, and these would be chosen by the Church at Home. The Rev. J. A. Mackenzie (Petone) stated that at Petone such a project haa already been started. This was in connection with a case where several mill i hands were required and the PresbyterI ian Church had arranged to secure six [of the men required. These would be chosen by ' Presbyterian ministers in Scotland. The motion was carried.