CHAPLAINS IN THE FORCES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17179, 27 May 1916, Page 14

CHAPLAINS IN THE FORCES.

The following question, addressed to the Minister of Defence in the House, and his answor to it, concerns a subject about which there has been some little discussion of late:—

Mr R, M'Callum (Wairau) asked: (1) Whether his attention had been drawn to tho demands of the General Synod of tho Anglican Church (a) that all Diocosau Bishops should be appointed senior chaplains, and (b) that definite instructions shall be issued to all Territorial officers to adhere to the King's regulations as regards religious services in the different heme camps and with the Expeditionary Force? (2) Will he inform the House whether, if Diocesan Bishops are appointed senior chaplains, these appointments will be made in addition to tho Anglican chaplains already holding' those positions? (3) Whether he will inform tho House what the King's instructions are in Great Britain, where ji State Church exists, and how they differ from those here, where no State- Church exists? (4) Whether he will jealously maintain the position of absoluto religious equality here, despite any effort made by any Church to encroach upon it? the Hon J. Allen replied: (1) I have noticed certain reference to tho subject in the public Press. (2) It is contrary to regulations to make first appointments to the New Zealand Chaplains Department of a higher rank than captain, and subsequent promotion is dependent on length of service, the report of the officer commanding the district and the recommendation of the G.O.C. (3) Paragraph 1382 to 1346 have reference to chaplains to regiments of tho British Army. They differ from what is laid down as regards tho appointment of chaplains in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, inasmuch as they make provision as a general principle for the appointment of Anglican, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic chaplains only, whereas in New Zealand the Defence Department arra-nges for the appointment of chaplains %f practically all denominations in proportion to the number of adherents of each denomination on a population basis throughout the Dominion. (4) Every effort will ho made to maintain tho'religious equality in the apnointment of chaplains to tho No«' Zealand Expeditionary Force on the basis stated in (3) above, unless a better system in fairness to all denominations'can be-evolved. .