ATTITUDE TO WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23592, 28 February 1940, Page 13

ATTITUDE TO WAR

METHODIST DECISION REJECTION OF PACIFISM NAZI AGGRESSION CONDEMNED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] DUNEDIN, Tuesday The attitude of the Methodist Church of New Zealand to the present war was defined in a lengthy statement presented to the annual conference this afternoon. The statement, which was considered for three hours in the morning by a special committee, was adopted without discussion. The conference in its statement recorded its distress at the outbreak of war aiid its longing for a just and lasting peace, at the same time condemning acts of violence and aggression by the Nazi Government and expressing gratitude that British statesmanship Avas united in taking the only honourable course left open. The conference also agreed with the Prime Minister's summary of New Zealand's position.

Church and Pacifism t The statement contained reference to certain pacifist propaganda with which, it said, the name of the Methodist. Church had been unwarrantably associated, and it made it clear that this propaganda contravened the resolutions of previous conferences. It also laid emphasis on the need for the creation of a fellowship of human souls, the undesirability of the pulpit being used for partisan advocacy of any particular social plan, and the unfairness of urging, personal views on controversial questions when no discussion, was possible. The majority of the conference was of the opinion that the committee's statement should not be publicly discussed, but that it should be merely approved or rejected. Several members, however, objected to the fact that the full conference should not he given the opportunity of expressing its views, but the passing of a resolution that a vote on the subject he taken prevented any discussion and one or two speakers were ruled out of order by the president, the Rev. L. B. Neale, when they attempted to present their views. Controversial Question

Presenting the committee's statement Mr. Neale saicl that the subject was the most burning one that had come before the conference within recent years. There wero men and women at the conference who had worked and played together, but yet held views diametrically opposed to each other when it came to the consideration of this question. The Rev. H. Ryaii, who seconded the motion for the adoption of the report, referred to the excellent spirit in which.the committee had carried out its obligations. Mr. A. C. Barrington opposed the motion on the grounds that the statement was contrary to the spirit _ of Christ's teaching and a sin against God.

At this stage the short discussion ended with the passing of a resolution that a vote be taken immediately, and the committee's statement was approved with only a few dissentient voices.