CHURCHES' PART

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 13

CHURCHES' PART

MEMORIAL SERVICES MESSAGE OF RELIGION TRIBUTE IN AUCKLAND WEST Religious services to-morrow will reflect the nation's deep sorrow at the loss it has experienced in the death of its leader, and the message of Christianity will be applied to the occasion. Some special memorial services will be held this morning. Bishop Liston will be the celebrant at a Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of the Prime Minister, to he held in St. Patrick's Cathedral at 10 o'clock this morning. The music of the Mass will be sung by the priests' choir. The bishop will address the congregation and will give the absolution at the catafalque at the end of the Mass. The Mass will be the official service of the Roman Catholic Church in Auckland. Several hundred invitations have been issued, and a third of the space in the Cathedral will be set aside for officials.

Special memorial prayers will be offered at the Sabbath morning service in the Synagogue in Princes Street, and a tribute will be paid to the late Prime Minister by the Rev. A. Astor, who will conduct the service. The Anglican Church

By direction of the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop Averill, the occasion will be fittingly marked in all Anglican churches to-morrow. Special prayers will be said, and in many cases reference will he made by the preacher to tlio character and influence of Mr. Savage. The morning service at St. Mary's Cathedral will take the form of- a special memorial service, and the preacher will be Dean Fancourt. Among those who will be present will be the deputy-mayor, Mr. .1. A. C. Allnm, and city councillors, and representatives of such organisations as the Harbour Board, the Transport Board, St. John Ambulance, the National Council of Women, the Victoria League, the Plunkct Society, the Overseas League, and the Royal Society of St. George.

In Air. Savage's electorate, Auckland West, there will be an official memorial service at All Saints' Church at 11 a.m. It will be attended by Mr. H. G. Staley, president of the Auckland West branch of the Labour Party, the executive and- members of the party. Mr. Staley said yesterday it was fitting that Mr.-Savage's supporters in his own electorate, who knew liim probably better than others, should thus assemble in church to honour his memory besides taking their part m the Dominion-wide State ceremony. Offerings over those of a normal morning service are to be devoted to the church's work in the camps, a project which it is known was close to Mr. Savage's heart. A Representative Service

A]] sections of the community are expected to be represented at a memorial service at St. Matthew's Church tomorrow evening. Representatives of civic authorities and other organisations, together with senior officers of the* armed services in Auckland, are expected to attend. The service, whk-h is lieing held at the request of Archbishop Averill, will be conducted by Canon It. G. Coats, who will also be the preacher. The "Dead March" is to be played by the Auckland Waterside Workers' Band.

Appropriate reference in prayer and in other parts of the service to the passing of the Prime Minister will be made in all Presbyterian churches tomorrow in accordance with the request of the moderator, and many tributes will be paid to his work and personality. Bible classes and Sunday schools that usually meet in the afternoon will be closed. Prayers for the repose of the Prime Minister's soul will be offered at the Mass in all Roman Catholic churches to-morrow.

RESTAURANTS TO OPEN PROVISION FOR VISITORS To provide refreshments for country visitors and other people who may maintain a' long vigil in the crowd at the funeral of the late Mr. Savage, a number of city restaurants have arranged to open to-morrow. It is not intended to cater on an extensive scale, but merely to provide light menus. "We were not anxious to open, but, after consulting with officials of the Internal Affairs Department, we felt wo should do something to cater for what are obvious needs." stated the manager of one larEre pity restaurant. "Naturally. we did not wish to call in staff, but when we asked for volunteers a large percentage offered to work. As a result, it is proposed to open the premises at noon, closing for a time at ahmit two o'clock when the cortege passes through Queen Street, and then resuming business until about 6.30 p.m." CHARITABLE DISPOSITION HELP IN GREAT EPIDEMIC [by tklf.gr Arn —press association'] f WELLINGTON, Friday Paying a high tribute to the personality. temperament and work of Mr. Savage, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, said it was the recognition by the people of Mr. Savage's worth and selfless attitude in all things that mattered in the public welfare that had placed him in the highest position citizens could give j in the administration of. the affairs of their country. Mr. Parry spoke of the intimate per sonal side of Mr. Savage's life in the early days of the Labour Party, when Mr. Savage and he were closely associated in Auckland. Mr. Parry recalled in particular Mr. Savage's charitable disposition. The Minister also referred to the great influenza epidemic of 1018, No man had been more helpful to tho rank and file of the people than Mr. Savage.