Presbytery Motion Against War Talk Meets Criticism

Northern Advocate, 10 May 1939, Page 8

Presbytery Motion Against War Talk Meets Criticism

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] AUCKLAND. This Day. A MOTION DEFINING THE ATTITUDE OF THE PRESBYTERY TO THE MILITARY-RECRUITING CAMPAIGN AND TO COMPULSORY TEAMING AROUSED KEEN DISCUSSION IN THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY LAST NIGHT.

A resolution submitted by the con vener of the public questions committee, the Rev. J. D. Smith, enjoining representatives of the church to hold aloof from the controversy between pacifism and militarism met with objection and criticism, and was even tually referred by agreement for further consideration of its wording.

CONSCIENTIOUS DECISION. Mr. Smith’s motion was as follows:“In view of the present recruiting campaign and the possibility of the introduction of compulsory training the Presbytery directs the attention of all those whose positions identify them in the public estimation with the church to the position taken by the General Assembly and the standards of our church, namely: That military service is optional and not obligatory and that a conscientious decision for or against such services will be upheld by our church. “Further, the Presbytery expresses its conviction that the present contribution which the church has to make to the defence of the country is in the field of moral and spiritual re-armament, and that she must not allow herself to be diverted by exceptional circumstances from her task of recruiting soldiers for the .army of Jesus Christ.” Would Make Great Mistake. “I am convinced the Presbytery would make a great mistake in carrying the resolution,” said the Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes. He moved that it be referred back to the committee foi further consideration. To carry it as it. stood would place the church in a hopelessly contradictory position. The vast majority of the manhood of the church would undertake military duty, and yet this said that was not the church’s unity.

Mr. Smith agreed to withdraw his motion, and it was referred back for reconsideration in terms of the amendment.

Former Mrs Freer Sued By Doctor

(Received 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 9. In the District Court to-day, Dr. James Matthew Banks obtained judgment for £3l/10/- against Mrs Gwendoline Cusack, formerly Mrs M. M. Freer, in an action To recover professional fees. The defence was that Dr. Banks had given his services voluntarily, or, if not. his claim was excessive. Mrs Cusack admitted having written to plaintiff, thanking him for having “got her out of a spot of bother.” Mr Justice Hill, delivering judgment, said there was no evidence to justify the assumption that Dr. Banks performed the operation for nothing. Mrs Cusack admitted that she had at one stage been prohibited from landing in Australia. Private advice has been received of the death in London, after a long illness, of Mr William Higgins, managing director of the Empire Printing and Box Manufacturing Co., Wellington, aged 55. Mr Higgins was a wellknown figure in business and sporting circles.