Methodists and War

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 276, 22 November 1935, Page 6

Methodists and War

SHARP DIVISION Or OPINION Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. The attitude of the Methodist. Church to war and to conscientious objectors was discussed for more than an hour at the North Canterbury Methodist synod to-day. A resolution to defer consideration of the subject until the conference of 1930 because of the sharply opposing views held on it was carried, but was followed immediately by another resolution asking tho Conference to take steps to protect tho principles of conscientious objectors. The first motion before the synod was that tho peace clauses adopted at tlie last Conference with tho exception of that providing for protection lor conscientious objectors should be rcaflirmed. This was oposed by several speakers. Rev. Clarence Eaton said ho could not vote in favour of reaffirming the clauses as most of them wero now out of date. Ho moved as an amendment: “That tho synod desires to record its appreciation of the services of the British Government in its efforts to promote peace and especially to support the League of Nations in its present struggle to stabilise peace throughout the world." Rev. F. T. Read asked what _ stops had been taken since last Conference to put the resolutions into effect. 101 instance, what pressure had been brought to reduce armaments. He seconded Mr. Eaton'? amendment.

Rev. H. Ryan said that if the amendment were carried he would move an entirely pacifist motion. Mr. H. Holland, M.P., questioned the use of passing such resolutions which the Church had no power to put into effect and which in fact never went outside the church.

The motion was lost and Mr. Eaton’s amendment carried. Tho report of tho District Public Questions Committee to the effect that the peace covenant adopted by the last Conference or some similar covenant designed to honour tho scruples of Methodist, conscientious objectors should be circulated was then submitted to the synod for adoption. The District Youth Committee brought forward an amendment to this to the effect that tho subject be deferred until tho Conference of 1938. Mr. Eaton said he must oppose the motion to adopt the report as ho believed it might cause a sorious division in the church. Moreover, it would bring great mental distress to those who signed the covenant and later changed their minds on their attitude to war and he considered' it undesirable to create a haven for objectors to military service. During the discussion Mr Ryan said that ho was one who did not fear a disruption in the .Christian church and later declared that ho had been grievously hurt in recent years to hear at synods and even at conferences sentiments to which generals and -warmongers could say ."Amen."

Tho motion was lost and tho amendment to defer tho subject until the 1938 Conference was carried. A motion to the effect that tho Conference be asked to consider the question without any direction from the synod was then moved. As an amendment to this Mr. Ryan moved that the synod request the Conference to take steps to protect Methodist conscientious objectors so that their religious principles might be honoured in accordance with the, decision of tho last Conference.

'The motion was lost and the amendment was carried.