CHRISTIAN ORDER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24993, 13 August 1942, Page 6

CHRISTIAN ORDER

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN PROGRESS IN OTAGO The Otago Regional Committee of the Campaign for Christian Order met at St. Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday. There were representatives present from all the city and suburban churches, and from Waikouaiti, Milton. Clyde, Cromwell, and Alexandra. The Rev. R. S. Watson presided. Principal A. L. Haddon outlined the steps taken at the recent annual meeting of the National Council of Churches in Christchurch to conserve the results of the campaign and to extend them through next year. The director (the Rev. F. H. Robertson) had summarised the numerous activities in all parts of the Dominion. There was unanimous appreciation of his( own part in the work. The executive was asked to prepare detailed plans for the continuance of the work. Commissions were also set up: (1) To consider the relation of religion to education; (2) to continue the effort to have divinity degrees granted in New Zealand; (3) to investigate juvenile delinquency, sexual morality and related matters with a view to working out a long-range educational and spiritual programme. Archbishop Wesl-Watson had been re-elected chairman of the council, and the Rev. J. M. Bates, formerly of Dunedin, had been appointed secretary. Mr Watson reported on committee activities in connection with the Air Training Corps, the proposed Government youth movement, the appointment of morale officers in military camps, and the plans for entertaining men on leave from camps near Dunedin. Public Meetings The Rev. D. C. Herron stated that a procession of witness had been arranged to precede the mass meeting at the Dunedin Town Hall on Monday, September 21. It was decided to secure the Concert Chamber or other suitable halls for an overflow meeting, at which the two speakers would repeat their addresses. Final plans for broadcasting awaited the Prime Minister's approval, but it was anticipated that all national stations would relay the programmes from the four main cities on the lour Mondays of September. Dean Cruickshank reported on the contacts being made with interested groups, mainly educational, industrial, business and professional. Conferences of the National, Labour and Country Parties had been addressed, as well as several local meetings. It was decided to approach the principals with a view to having the campaign explained in high schools. At the request of country ministers it was agreed that the progress reports now being issued be more widely circulated. The Rev. W. J. Hands indicated that within each parish an interdenominational committee had been set up to arrange for visitors to call at every house and to leave printed information. This work was so far proving most encouraging. Youth Work The Rev. N. F. Benham outlined the plans of the Youth Committee. There would be a rally at the Dunedin Town Hall on October 4 with singing by a massed choir under Mr G. E. Wilkinson, versespeaking by the Girls' Brigades, dramatisation of the spirit of the campaign and addresses by youth specialists. A successful meeting of youth had been addressed by Dr J. D. Salmond. Arrangements had been made for intercession services to be held in St. Paul's Cathedral each Tuesday from 5.40 to 5.55 and each Thursday from 5.15 to 5.30. Young people and others were making use of this provision after business. Reports of progress at Port Chalmers, Milton and various centres in Central Otago were received. It was agreed to send Dunedin speakers to these centres as desired. Dean Cruickshank and Principal Haddon would address a public meeting in the Invercargill Town Hall on August 26.