UNORTHODOX CHURCH ACT

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1932, Page 7

UNORTHODOX CHURCH ACT

POLITICAL MOTION PASSED GREY LYNN PRESBYTERIANS ALARM AT RELIEF PAY CUT CONGREGATION UNANIMOUS / ;4 . nBy Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The extraordinary course of moving a resolution of a political character during Divine service was taken at St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, Grey Lynn, on Sunday, when the congregation decided that a message should be sent to the Prime Minister expressing its deep concern at “the feeling which has been created in many minds as a result of the recent action of the Government in further reducing the already inadequate remuneration of relief workers.” The congregation respectfully urged the Government to restore the 10 per cent cut in relief pay. The incident occurred after the minister (the Rev. E. H. Kedgley) had made the intimations for the week. He announced that a very unusual process was about to be adopted. He said he would not contemplate such an unorthodox procedure if it were hot for the strong feeling of the St. Peter’s session that the serious situation which had arisen in Auckland warranted extraordinary action. He read the motion and two members of the session, standing up, moved and seconded it. He then said: “I will ask those in favour of the motion to rise and those who oppose it to retain their seats.” The congregation rose in a body and the minister declared the motion had been carried unanimously.

To-day the resolution was forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Employment and the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Kedgley stated to-day that the cut in relief pay had been discussed last Wednesday night by the kirk session, speakers evincing grave concern of the possible consequences if the cut should be continued. It was agreed that the situation warranted an expression of opinion from the congregation and a suitable motion was framed and adopted unanimously by the session for submission to the congregation on Sunday. “We know the situation in Grey Lynn intimately,” said Mr. Kedgley, “and we have been deeply concerned regarding the bitter feeling that ■ has arisen since the cut was made in relief pay. Only a reinstatement of the reductions will prevent an ugly situation arising.”