ENTRY OF REFUGEES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20185, 1 March 1940, Page 7

ENTRY OF REFUGEES

APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT GAMBLING BAN. URGED METHODIST CONFERENCE (Pur Press Association.) DUNEDIN, this day. The president, the Rev. L. B. Neale, was in the chair at the business sessions of the Methodist Church conference yesterday. The report of the Women’s missionary Union, presented by the president, Miss E. M. Rishworth, slated that there had been a substantial increase in the membership, the total number being 3838, an increase for the year of 468. The following resolution concerning the admission of refugees to New Zealand was adopted: “That the conference recognising the obvious difficulties confronting the Government in formulating any policy in regard to the immigration of refugees at such a time of national crisis, urges upon it the necessity of carefully considering the claims of bona fide refugees who seek to gain admission into New Zealand as permanent citizens. Believing that the entry of duly approved refugees can only react favourably upon the economic and cultural life of the Dominion, we recommend to the Government that a wise and humane policy concerning refugees, particularly children, be implemented and given effect to, if not immediately, then as soon as practicable.” Opposition to GamblingThe conference adopted without discussion the following resolution on gambling: “This conference views with grave concern the widespread increase and encouragement among young and old of all forms of gambling. Believing it to be essentially unethical, anti-social and uneconomic, it calls upon Christian people to (a) discourage all attempts to maintain and extend facilities for gambling of whatever kind; (b) to refrain from participation in betting, art unions, lotteries, sweeps, raffles and the like; (c) to demonstrate by precept and personal example those ideals of Christian stewardship revealed to us in the New Testament.’” The conference adopted a motion by the Rev. H. T. Peat to set up a chaplaincy fund of £IOOO, and authorised an appeal for the April-June quarter. The following were appointed as representatives to the Chaplains’ Advisory Board: —Auckland, Rev. W. Walker; Wellington, Rev. F. J. Parker; Christchurch, Rev. Wesley Parkcl; Dunedin, Rev. L. B. Neale. The conference adopted the following .resolution: “That while deprecating the establishment of wet canteens in military camps, we are opposed to any discrimination against men on military service. 'The Government is therefore urged to adopt as a measure of war-time national policy the total prohibition of the sale of intoxicants except for medicinal purposes and alcohol for industrial purposes. On economic grounds alone the importation and unrestricted use of spirits is not justified when essential goods are urgently required.”