EXPELLED FROM MINISTRY

Southland Times, Issue 24681, 28 February 1942, Page 4

EXPELLED FROM MINISTRY

METHODIST PREACHER IN WELLINGTON DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY CONFERENCE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, February 27. The Rev. O. E. Burton, M.A., for the last seven years stationed at the Webb street Church, Wellington, and well known for his pacifist advocacy, is no longer a minister of the Methodist Church of New Zealand. This was announced in an official statement issued at the conclusion of the Methodist Conference in Wellington today. No reason was given. It is understood, however, that disciplinary action was taken by the conference against Mr Burton alter a discussion behind closed doors, and that the action was taken as a result of Mr Burton’s attitude to the findings of the conference the previous day on the questions of peace and war. The conference findings, the outcome of several hours’ deliberation in committee, reaffirmed the manifesto of the 1940 conference, which stated, among, other things: “While jealously guarding freedom of speech, the conference directs that our pulpits and church organizations shall not be used as recruiting agencies nor for propaganda encouraging young men to refuse war service.” It is understood that it was as a result of Mr Burton’s subsequent intimation that he was unable to regard himself as bound by certain parts of the findings that action was taken against him. Approached after the discussion, both the president of the Methodist Conference, the Rev. W. Walker (Remuera) and Mr Burton declined to comment. Mr Burton served four years in the Great War, being promoted to 2nd lieutenant from the ranks. He was wounded several times and awarded the Military Medal and a French decoration. Later he wrote an official record of the Auckland Regiment, with which he served, also “The Silent Division,” the story of the Anzacs. Before entering the ministry seven years ago he taught at Wesley College, Paerata, for ten years.