THE WAR CONDEMNED

Grey River Argus, 5 January 1940, Page 2

THE WAR CONDEMNED

pacifist stand By N.Z. Methodist Young Men WELLINGTON, January 3. After a long discussion on the subject of war and peace, the following motion was passed at the annual convention of the Methodist Young Men’s Bible .Class movement:“This convention recommends to its members and all . members of the Christian Church who believe that all war, including the one m which our nation is at present engaged, is contrary to the spirit and lexidl ‘ n * of Jesus Christ our Lord, and that the way of the Cross is the only method of conquering evil. “(a) To follow that way unswervingly refusing enlistment, preparations for war, and all non-combatant service under military control; and “(b) to endeavour, by the grace ot God, to understand and serve all men irrespective of nationality and to persuade them that the only hope for the individual and for the world lies in following the teaching and example of Jesus.” This motion was carried by' 44 votes to three. On the subject of compulsory mill'tary service, the following motion was carried by 38 votes to 11: ‘While recognising a loyalty to the country and Empire of, which we are members, this convention reasserts the historic stand of the Christian Church in affirming that the Christian has a higher loyalty, that to his Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, and to truth as it is revealed to him by the grace of God., Believing therefore that the conscription of human life for war purposes in unwarrantable interference with the liberty and conscience of the citizen, we urge the Government to stand firm in its refusal to legislate for compulsory military service.” Not Feelings of Church METHODIST PRESIDENT REPLIES. CHRISTCHURCH, January 4. "It is not in any sense the feeling of the Methodist Conference,” said the Rev. Angus Mcßean, of Ashburton (Dominion president), last evening when asked to comment on the resolutions, on war of the Methodist Young Men’s Bible Class Dominion Convention in Wellington. “The pacifist movement is very strong among a certain section which is very influential in the convention,” he continued. Mr Mcßean later said that many of the officials were ardent pacifists and they would probably sway the opinion of the convention.

“My own conviction, from my recent travels through, New Zealand as Dominion president is that young men of the Methodist Church realise their responsibilities in the present crisis, and, personally, I am sure that enlistments from our denomination will be equal to those of any other church,” the president stated. ‘.‘The , official pronouncement on war of the Methodist Conference was made some time ago, and that was not in any sense a pacifist state--ment,” Mr Mcßean said. While regretting the necessity for, enlistment, the pronouncement urged the youngmen to take their full share of the responsibility, but recommended that the . decision of individuals for either course on their personal convictions should be.respected. “The .pacifist element is strong in that convention, but I do not think that the Resolution represents the general feeling of the young men of the Methodist Church to that extent. Our young men will be there,” the president concluded. MR SAVAG’S COMMENT. ON BIBLE CLASS STAND. WELLINGTON, : January 4 The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J Sayqge, interviewed, made reference to the resolution passed by the Methodist Biblp Class Conference, one to the effect,,that men should not enlist, the other opposing the introduction of conscription. In plain English, sajd Mr Savage the. Conference suggested that no action in respect to the war should be taken at all. The war was being fought to determine whether the British Empire should have a life worth living, or become parcel of Germany, with no right to govern. The conference’s was a selfish attitude th?.t would not stand investigation for five minutes.

“IMPERIALISTIC WAR” English University Students’ Allegations LABOUR LEADER LEAVES ORGANISATION. [British Official Wirelessl RUGBY, January 3. The conference of the University Labour Federation—an organisation based on Students’ Societies in the United Kingdom Universities, with Labour sympathies, which has not infrequently found itself at variance with the official Labour Party—today passed a resolution which urges that the task of the Labour move-ment-is to lead the working class in the determined struggle against what it describes as the war for profits ,and .world domination, for. which it holds “Hitler Fascism and British and French Imperialism” equally responsible: Mr Arthur Greenwood, deputyleader of the Labour .Party, has resigned from the organisation in pro'test against the resolution. - -Mr Greenwood said: “The resolution is, in fact a contradiction to the .established and reaffirmed policy of organised Labour. It is against the policy of the leaders of the Labour movement and the trade unions, ano endangers the whole future of. the Labour,.movement. , As I am wholeheartedly in support of Labour’s pol'icy, which is overwhelmingly supported by the rank and file, and as whom.-, the censure of the FedJ..eratidri Executive has now fallen, I

feel it necessary to resign the presidency of the Federation.” “The resolution is obviously in-, spired from Communist sources- It reveals or professes complete ignorance of the real issues behind the present struggle. It is out of sym- 1 pathy with the aims of the Socialist movement the world over, and its purpose can only be interpreted as definitely disruptive. . i “I need only add that, as one who has. had the longest continuous association with the University Labour Federation, and as one who remembers the spirit which brought it info existence at the end of the last war at the instance- of men who had fought in that war, I regret severing my connection with the organisation, which I had hoped would be the beacon of Socialism in the university world.” i