CHURCH AND MIGRATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 10

CHURCH AND MIGRATION

PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEES:

HELP IN SELECTION.

ASSEMBLY'S RESOLUTION.

[BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. " The question of the Presbyterian Church as a channel through which immigrants could come to the Dominion was mentioned at the. session of the Presbyterian General Assembly to-day. The matter was brought tip by the Key. W. J. Comrie, who moved : " That, -in view of the large numbers of immigrants coming to our shores, and the importance of wise influence being exercised and service given in connection with their selection, transport and. settlement, presbyteries be recommended to set up committees to deal with these matters; and that the Assembly appoint a committee to keep in touch with other organisations which are dealing with these matters.' Mr. Comrie stated that the Government had made all arrangements for the trans-, portation of immigrants, but it had not made provision for their spiritual welfare. .It would perhaps be advisable to cooperate with the Church in Britain in the selection of immigrants. Then the men woudd come out hero with the advantage of nomination. If this could be done one of the large factories could make a request for, say, 50 hands through the Church, and these would bo chosen by the Church at Home. The liev. J. A. Mackenzie (Petone) said that at Petone such a project had already been started. This was in connection with a case in which several millhands were required, and the Presbyterian Church had arranged to secure six of the men required. The motion was carried.