Case of the Christian Assemblies

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 157, 5 July 1945, Page 2

Case of the Christian Assemblies

Ninety-seven per cent of men of mill tary age associated with the religious organisation known as Christian Assein blies, are against participation in the Armed Forces even in a non-combatant capacity, William John Hughes, senior minister in New Zealand for the As semblies, told Mr. W. H. Woodward S.M., No. 2 Revision Authority-, yester day. “Yet,” added Mr. Hughes, “when the appeals of our men were originally heard, while only 5.8 per cent were allowed in one district, in another 55.5 per cent were allowed. And i know of no difference in the sincerity or Christian character of all the appel lants. It is an injustice.” Mr. Hughes said there was almost another grievance in that whereas the Quakers’ attitude to war was accepted without question, the members of the Christian Assemblies had been pul through a gruelling questioning to prove their point, when really there was nc difference between the attitudes of the two bodies except that the Quakers adopted an anti-war attitude as a tenet ot their faith whereas the Assemblies left it to the individual conscience which added up to 07 per cent of the eligible male membership.

At a meeting of the Feilding branch of the Home Servicemen’s Association, with Mr. W. E. Odgers in the chair, Messrs McClure and Tinning, of the Rongotea sub-branch, were present and arrangements concluded for • assisting the sub-branch. Consideration was also given the proposal to form a sub-branch at Bunnythorpe and the views of the Manawatu branch are to be obtained betore taking action. It was reported that no reply had yet been received from the War Pensions office regarding an application niado for a pension for an ex-servicewoman who was discharged from the Air Force as Grade 4. It was decided that an application for a rehabilitation loan made by- a member be supported to enable him to purchase tools of trade. The secretary (Mr K Noble) reported that the membership continued to grow, but that there were still a number of unfinancial members. Tentative arrangements wore made for a dance to augment the funds. Mr. Odgers made reference to the death oi Squadron Loader E. W. Barnett, and a motion of sympathy with the relatives was passed. The deceased officer was one of the original members of the association.