COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19800, 18 November 1919, Page 3

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

The monthly meeting of the Council of Churches was held in Trinity Mall Inn evening, the wice-presidcut, the Rev W. J. 'Williams, occupying the chair in tho presence ot about thirty members.

■The Prisons Committee reported that it, had adopted the Rev P. S'. Knight s report on his visit to the Ihi parna Prison. and in addition expressed its hearty approval of the reforms outlined by the Prisons Department as its programme. and urged on Parliament and on the public the need tor the swift execution of the proposals. The committee was specially impressed, from evidence given it, with the urgent need of providing intelligent occupations additional to reading (luring leisure hours. The committee believ’d that special attention ought to he given to the. preparation of the prisoners, through trade instruction. For self-support on their discharge, also that prisoners ought to 'have opportunities of aiding in the support of their families through extra, work done during the period of incarceration.

The Rev ■). J. North, in presenting the report, stated that the committee had had prolonged interviews with men who had served sentences at Paparna Prison, and had come to its conclusions after thorough investigation. Most of the ex-prisoners were conscientious objectors whoso character a.nd integrity could not he disputed, and who were able to give a good idea to the committee of the exact conditions inside the prison. The report was adopted, and it was decided to lorwnrd copies of the recommendations to the (iuvernment.