DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13943, 1 July 1909, Page 6

DEFENCE.

A PRESBYTERY'S VIEWS. Per Press Association. , NELSON, June 30. The following resolution was carried at a meeting of the Presbytery to-day: "That in view of the danger of a collision between the .British and German Empires, with all its, calamitous consequences to civilisation, the Presbytery is of opinion that while it is our duty and privilege as a nation to do our utmost to preserve our. interests by land and sea, and defend at all hazards the-great heritage providence entrusted to us, in. the interests of the world it becomes lis to maintain a calm, unvindictive and . Christian spirit; the Presbytery would earnestly call upon all to be much in prayer .that we and our brethren of the German Empire.may continue to lead peaceable lives and refrain on our part from any word or deed calculated to embitter the relations between the nations so closely allied in race, education and religion; the Presbytery is of opinion that the Church in conjunction with other branches of the great Presbyterian family scattered throughout the Empire, should at the earliest possible moment, make representations on the above.lines to the Nlitionai Evangelical Kirk, Free Kirk, Reformed Ivirks and Old Lutheran Kirk of Germany, inviting them to join in united prayer and an earnest effort that the warlike spirit may be restrained, a good understanding maintained, and the cost of armaments diminished: the Presbvt"rv expresses a desire that tlie subject, may bo discussed bv other Presbyteries between this and the meeting of the supreme court with a view to liarmonv ?t the assembly." /