DUTY TO SERVICEMEN

Evening Star, Issue 25634, 7 November 1945, Page 6

DUTY TO SERVICEMEN

THE BAPTIST VIEWPOINT The annua] assembly of the Baptist Union and Missionary Society of New Zealand was continued this morning under the chairmanship of the president (the Rev. L. J. Boulton Smith).

The action of the 'Government in establishing revision authorities in regard to the treatment of conscientious objectors was welcomed, stated the report of the Public Questions tee. This, it was maintained, _ was a minimum requirement of British justice. The committee also endorsed the viewpoint of a returned chaplain (the Rev. L. A. Day) that returned servicemen should not be greeted as " problems " and become the victims of a massive rehabilitation organisation in the church. Mr Day had advised that for these men the church could and must supply fellowship, a new and higher incentive than that which took them away to fight, and, above all, they must have set before them the high example of consecration to God. CHALLENGE TO CHURCH PEOPLE Thought had been given by the committee to the disturbing conditions prevailing in the community, continued the report. The iniquities which abounded were " a \ challenge to Church people everywhere to show by life and conduct a true Christian attitude in every relationship. One of the most perturbing factors in the slackening of morals in war time was exhibited in the widespread devices for illegal gain which appeared to be continually increasing their grip on the community. The situation called for the highest and most consecrated effort of the Church, through the pulpit, and literature, and, above all, through , the example of the individual Christian in his occupational relationships. The report was adoptsd: GENERAL. Further tributes were paid at this morning's session of the New Zealand Baptist Assembly to the work of the Rev. J. J. North, who lad been editor for 30 years of the ' Nev Zealand Baptist,' and to the sub-editor, the Rev. J. T. Crozier. It was recorded in the report of the Manuwera Children's Home that there had been an increase in the number of children cared for, tie figure now standing at 71. A swimming pool had been constructed, and was proving a great boon. A tribute was paid to Mr E. Wiltshire, who had raised more than £lO2 by the sale of used postage stamps. The following were elected to the Maintenance of the Ministry Committee Revs. F. L. Smart, J. A. Clifford, Messrs T. C. Batts, E. C. Brown, G E. Burt, S. M. Conway, S. Hercus, A. S. Lambourne, G. Ivory, R. Lewis, Dr C. * North, Messrs H. A. C. North, A. Turner, and P. Williams. Pleas for the sympathetic consideration of the problem of alien refugees were heartily endorsed by the Assembly.