CHRISTCHURCH, 1945

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 6 August 1945, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH, 1945

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

CONFERENCE AT END OF THIS MONTH (Contributed) The year 1945 is freighted with fate-! ful and epoch-making possibilities for New Zealand. The responsibilities of statesmen are heavy, and the responsibilities of churchmen arc not a whit less heavy. The last few years of splendid cooperation and comradeship between the churches of New Zealand will bo given dramatic expression in the forthcoming conference in Christchurch. It will be the first time in our history that the churches of New Zealand will have met together through officially appointed delegates to take common counsel. The conference is being held at the end of August to consider what the church should say to this nation at this time. SPONSORING BODY The National Council of Churches, born in April, 1941, has four years of splendid achievement to its credit, in services rendered to the churches and to the nation. The council has no authority over the constituent bodies adhering to it, and it does not seek to modify the denominational identity of any member body. "Unity in Christian Action” is its watchword. Because of its representative char acter the council is able to mobilise the information, the results of research, the counsel and the leadership which make it, potentially, the most influential Christian organisation in New Zealand. It has accomplished much. If (here is one thing it has lacked it is publicity. "Christchurch, 1945” will put it in the headlines. The reports, discussions, and declarations of the conference will be momentous. THE COMMISSIONS Evidence is mounting of the factual, realistic. well-documented approach that is being made to the problems before them. A special panel is working on the problem of home and family, under the direction of Mr and Mrs Cochrane, well-known in educational circles in Wellington. This panel is a sub-commission of the Commission studying Education. There is an additional panel studying the Basis of a Christian Peace, under the direction of the Rev. A. A. Brash ,at Wanganui. Material produced by the Federal Council of Churches of the U.S.A. is the basis of their study. This panel is working in conjunction with the Commission on Community located at Auckland. The Commission studying the future of the Maori people has compiled the final draft of its report to be presented at the conference. Opinions of tribes interested, including returned soldiers have been involved in this report. LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS A Christchurch Local Arrangements Committee with Mrs A. K. Warren (chairman) and the Rev. L. Rogers (hon. secretary) has been working for some time through various sub-com-mittees to provide the delegates and the conference with every possible facility to work successfully. The latest local executive committee meeting, held on 11th June, indicated the great progress that is being made in these arrangements. There are sub-commit-tees dealing with such details as arrangements, programme, personnel, catering, transport, press and publicity, finance, and music. The Rev. Walter Robinson is acting as •cgistrar.