FEDERAL UNION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23791, 19 October 1940, Page 13

FEDERAL UNION

NATIONS OF THE WORLD PLANNING FOR PEACE THE PART OF THE CHURCH [llV TKI.KGRAI'H OWN COUKKNI'ONIIKNT] CI r RISTCIIU H CII. Fririn y The ideal of a federal union among nations was discussed by tho Christelmrch Anglican Synod on the motion ol Mr. E. Hitchcock. The synod passed a resolution recommending to church people the study of federal union "as a means of implementing Christian principles in international affairs." "There are people who will maintain that the Christian Church should have nothing to do with politics." said Mr. Hitchcock, "but if we want to implement Christian principles we must seek for suitable means. It may be said that the bombing of London to-day is due entirely to the apathy of ordinary people like ourselves in international affairs, and it is not improbable that if that apathy persists it may lead to the bombing of Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington." "Super Government" There was obligation on Christians to see that their principles were carried out internationally. Mr. Hitchcock added. Federal union required no more than that a start should be made by a group of democratic nations, each of which would retain its individuality, but would entrust to a "super government" major policies such us defence, international trade and communications. Inherent in federal union was some measure of renunciation by the nations of their sovereign rights. Canada, the United States, Switzerland and Australia were examples of the successful working of the principle. "We cannot afford to wait for peace to plan for peace," said Canon S. Parr, who seconded the motion. "That mistake was made in the last war. We tried to put a new world into old bottles. This is one plan which can be tried out and prepared for. Perhaps it is for the Church to give a lead to the establishment of the new world. The old world has gone. Thinking and Reading

"1 believe that the federal union movement has largely Christian ideas behind it," said Canon Parr. "If we can encourage our people to think and read along such lines it will be a great service to the cause of reconstruction." Archdeacon A. J. Petrie said the motion was one of the most important brought before the synod, lhe Church was being committed merely to a study of the subject, which would come more and more forcibly before the community. "it seems to me that we are implementing what many people call the brotherhood <>t man." he said. "11 the Church is going to be a torch to light the way, instead of an ambulance to pick up those who have fallen by the way. it will he doing a ere at service." The Rev. A. 11. Acheson emphasised that the Church must study and consider the terms of peace now. He mentioned the Soviet a> an example ol federal union, "with more emphasis on the centre and less on the parts. Ihis example, he said, was often overlooked, and he mentioned it only as a matter for study. "Federal union should he studied on a wider scale, both to the Right and to the Left." he said. "This study is a duty incumbent on every churchman."