PROBLEMS OF PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23191, 10 November 1938, Page 12

PROBLEMS OF PEACE

DUTY OF THE CHURCH LEAGUE OF. NATIONS UPHELD [by telegkaph—own correspondent] v DUNEDIN, Wednesday "When we look round the world today we see wars raging in Spain, China and Palestine," said Dr. E. N. Merrington, when presenting the report of the Committee on International Relations rto the Presbyterian Assembly. It would seem, he said, that the world had endeavoured to build as though on a crust of volcanic lava instead of on the more enduring ideals of the League of Nations, which had been departed from. There was a question in the minds of many whether the present policy of appeasement would be lasting and durable. "I am more and more convinced that the real duty of the Christian Church is not to decide on these highlycontroversial subjects, for there is a danger of reaching a fantastic conclusion when international relations are so complicated and involved," he said. The real duty of the Church was to preach the Gospel. l'f the Church departed from that it would only bring about confusion and friction. He asked the assembly to stand squarely behind tho ideal to preach for a change of heart, as that only would bring about an improvement in the world to-day. If the mind of tho people could known, Dr. Merrington said, it would be seen that they were all for peace "If we had the mind of the people of Germany and Japan we would find they were for peace. The League of. Nation? even in a revised form, will , help to bring about the will of the people." he concluded. • 1