CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24791, 16 December 1941, Page 9

CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE

A. N. Prior, remarking that "Presbyterian " accuses the assembly of his church of being " spineless " in its appeal for fair treatment of conscientious objectors, asKs whether Mr Churchill was " spineless when he said, in connection with the same subject, that "anything in the nature of persecution, victimisation, or man-hunt-ing is odious to the British people '? He adds that in the next few months Presbyterian," as well as the rest of us, will need to find a better sort of courage than that—a kind of courage, in fact, that has far more in' common with that of the assembly and of conscientious objectors themselves in facing a hostile public, than with a spirit of contemptible bullying. "Incredulous" quotes Hitler, in his latest speech, as repeating that he was grateful for having been chosen by the Creator "to decide the history of the world for the next 1000 years," and recalls that over five years ago he said, also in a public speech, that "he must thank God for giving him Germany and that Germans must thank God for giving them Hitler." Whether the German people to-day believed Hitler to be a Messiah could not be stated. It would appear, however, that Hitler regarded himself as divine, although it was not clear how he knew that had been chosen by the Creator. " Wondering" inquires why, in these days of intensive war effort, swaggers, hoboes—call them anything one likes—are permitted to roam about freely? Usually they have the impertinence to demandnot request—food, drink, and sometimes a shelter for the night. Are they registered anywhere? Most of them are apparently healthy and in the prime of life with nothing the matter with them except laziness and uncleanliness. Is any check kept on their movements and " interests "? " Nuff Sed," referring to a correspondent's assertion that young bowlers were playing bowls on some greens, states that he has visited most of the greens about Dunedin and found a few youngsters on each of them, a green in the north end having most of them, but these might be " conchies " or married men.

" Humph," discussing the Presbyterian General Assembly resolution on conscientious objectors, says it is understandable that some church leaders should be more sympathetic than others, but not so understandable is the view of church leaders who, while presenting block appeals on behalf of their clergy and students, regard conscientious objectors as cowardly. He calls on the churches to recognise that the Axis attack is aimed not only against the« democracies but also against the Christian faith, and that therefore Christians should be prepared to defend that faith with arms if need be.