POLITICAL ISSUES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23143, 15 September 1938, Page 14

POLITICAL ISSUES

m RELIGIOUS STRIFE NATIONAL PARTY'S STAND TOLERANCE FOR ALL LEADER DEFINES PRINCIPLES [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday "Wo stand for Christian principles in all our dealings, and we oppose the entry of religious controversy into polities," said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in an interview to-day, in which he outlined the attitude of the National Party toward certain religious questions which have recently been introduced into the political campaign in New Zealand. "I have received many letters - from various parts of the Dominion," continued Mr. Hamilton, "asking me to state my personal attitude and that of tho National Party upon religion and the Churches. Although I have replied to some of them individually, I consider tho t:me is opportune for me to make a public statement on tho matter."

Purely Matter for Individual

Stressing the great spiritual heritage with which Christianity had endowed the British Empire, Mr. Hamilton said that, while the Christian forces of the world wore in need of practical encouragement at present, tho practice of denominational religion was a matter purely for tho choico of the individual, and as such should play no part whatever in party politics or in the conduct, of national administration. "Religious strife has no r3 p>^^ l jJ place in party or national politics, said Mr. Hamilton. "A well-balanced political group is composed of members of all religious denominations, whoso duty it is to work in the interests of all. That is the position of the National Party in New Zealand to-day. Our members and our candidates for Parliament at the coming election have been drawn from practically all of the main religious bodies represented in New Zealand, and membership is made up of persons holding widely differing viewpoints on religious questions. What Party Stands For

"We welcome this distribution of religious opinions which, far from creating strife and dissension, has given strength to the National Party s claim to be truly representative of the people of this Dominion. "Those who introduce religious strife into politics are doing a grave disservice to the country as a whole, Mr. Hamilton continued, "and those who associate the name of the National Party with such efforts are perpetrating a gross misrepresentation of what this party stands for. We will have nothing whatever to do with sectarian issues in the political field, and we dissociate ourselves entirely from them and from those who endeavour to foster them.

, A Guarantee of Immunity "It should be clearly understood that the aim of the National Party when returned to power will be to encourage the practice of religious beliefs among the people, according to individual conscience, and to be tolerant to all, no matter to what church people may belong. We, as a Government, will guarantee immunity from any suggestion of religious colour, either m public or civil service appointments, or in the general administration of the nation's affairs. Any suggestion the contrary is a mischievous attempu to mislead the public upon the policy and principles of the party. "M<iy I conclude wit-h ft persons! note," Mr. Hamilton added. "I myself am a church member, and fylly realise the present necessity, not only for religious tolerance, .but also for united Christian action to preserve the personal and spiritual message of Christianity against the growing forces of materialism."