POLITICS AND PRAYER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21803, 18 May 1934, Page 14

POLITICS AND PRAYER

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT NEW SOUTH WALES DECISION LABOUR PARTY'S OPPOSITION In the New South Wales Legislative I Assembly recently n proposal by the Premier, -Mr. Stevens, to open Parliament with prayer each clay was bitterly opposed bv the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Lang. Other Labour members also opposed the proposal, which, however, was adopted. The Premier moved that the Mouse should adopt the following new standing order: —"Upon the Speaker taking tho chair each day, he shall offer the following prayer: 'Almighty God, we humbly beseech Thee to vouchsafe Thy blessing upon this Parliament. Direct and prosper our deliberations to the advancement of Thy glory, and the true welfare of tho people of our State nnd Australia. Amen I' "

Mr. Lang said: "I am not sure that this motion is not tampering with the rights of tho people in the free selection of their representatives to Parliament. This innovation may have, and could have in certain circumstances, an effect upon Parliament of preventing such free choice," Mr. Lang said that many years ago tho Parliament had decided >to open with prayer. The prayer was said on two or three occasions, and then the motion was rescinded. Later 011 another attempt was made to institute another prayer, but ifc was defeated. The feelings of members of the House and of the Speaker, who bad views of his own, had to be considered. Any Speaker with self respect would resign rather than repeat a prayer which was objectionable to him. The Last Elections "The Premier has suddenly sprung upon us, with a fanfare of publicity, his intention of opening Parliament with prayer, nnd the people outside want to know why," added Mr. Lang. "I'll tell you why, very plainly. Take your minds back to tho general election campaign. The elections were fought by the Premier as a crusader."

Mr. Chaffev: Against rotten government.

Mr. Lang: He was a crusader against every form of gambling. Even tho lottery was offensive in the eyes of this mighty crusader Mr. Hedges: You weren't too keen on racing yourself, Mr. Lang. Mr. Lang: That is so, but I did not lead a crusade against it. I never was a wholehearted supporter of the lottery, but I am not a crusader and I don't wear a halo. The Premier said gambling must be wiped out. You know bow much it has been wiped out. It has been encouraged. Mr. Thomas: That is not the Premier's fault. Mr. Lang: T never said it was. It may be his misfortune that you won't allow him to do it. Mr. Hedges: Some of his supporters may not/allow him to do it. "Hollow Mockery" Mr. Lang: That is what I am suggesting. Mr. Lang said be wished to point out tho hollow mockery of opening Parliament with a prayer, and then proceeding with business which was a direct negation of the prayer, l.f was sacrilege. In the British Parliament the ojxniing prayer was said by a clergyman. The form of prayer suggested did not even conform to that said in the Federal Parliament, where

"The Lord's Prayer" was said. Mr. Sanders: Why don't you move an amendment to have that added to this prayer Y

Mr. Lang: I will rlo nothing of the sort. It is impossible for the Lord's Pravpr to ho said while you arc doing the opposite to it. The prayer says, '"Give 11s this day our daily bread," and every day members on {his side of tlie House are complaining about people being without bread. It is baso and hypocritical. The Premier had proposed the prayer to cover up his failure to wipe out gambling. Tt was cant and hypocrisy. If the Parliament decided to institute a prayer, the form of prayer should bo decided by the House, and not by the Government. The prayer might be said by a clergyman. He moved an amendment, that the question of opening each sitting of the House with prayer should he referred to the Standing Orders Committee. The Premier's Reply The Premier, in reply, said: "If any member considers that the need does not exist, or is of the opinion that the very procedure of this House outrages the basis of the form of prayer that is offered in other deliberative assemblies, and offered almost universally, be is entitled to be allowed to express his opinion. But I suggest, with all propriety, that he is not entitled to express them in terms such as those to which we have just listened." The Premier said that the prayer—as simple and as formal as it was—was a sincere attempt by the Government to frame a resolution to give expression t'i.the desires of hundreds of thousands of people. "The request that thin procedure should be applied," said the Premier, "has come to the Government from many quarters—not merely from the organised Church, as we know it, but from many honoured institutions. In drafting the prayer the Government has had the assistance of those who were prepared to help. It has followed identically the form of the opening prayer that is adopted in the parent Parliament of the Commonwealth." Adoption of the Prayer The Premier added he would leave the question entirely to the House, but he pleaded with members that they would do nothing but harm in the eyes of the public and the whole world if they debated the subject in the strain adopted by the Leader of the Opposition. At the conclusion of the debate, which lasted until after the dinner hour on the second day, the amendment moved by Mr. Lang to refer the matter to the Standing Orders Committee was rejected. An addition to the form set down, moved by the Opposition Whip, Mr. O'Sullivan, was refused, and the prayer was then accepted. The voting was purely party, the Opposition giving the minority vote. CHANGE INAUGURATED SCKNL IN TWO ASSEMBLY SYDNEY, May 17 For the first time since ]BO2 the New South Wales Legislative Assembly was opened yesterday with prayer, the Ministers and members standing to attention, with heads bowed.