P.P.A. STATEMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 190, 12 August 1931, Page 5

P.P.A. STATEMENT.

Strong Condemnation of the Government. PROTESTANTS CHALLENGED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 11. The announcement of the opposition of the Protestant Political Association to the United Party is amplified by a statement issued this evening from the Dominion Conference of the Association. It is stated that legislation enacted under the United Government is a direct challenge to Protestants. The conference recorded its emphatic protest against 'the action of the Bible in Schools League in entering into a compact with the Roman Catholic hidVarchy regarding the Religious Instruction in Public Schools Enabling Bill. The resolution from the conference states: “The P.P.A. feels com: pelled to oppose the passage of the proposed Bill, believing it to be an endeavour by the Roman Catholic Church to institute a system of religious instruction in the State schools of this country which is designed to operate to the advantage of that Church by providing it with grounds for a further appeal for aid to its schools.”

A motion was also carried protesting against the regulations under the Unemployment Act which exempt members of certain religious orders from paying the levy. “In the present time of stress,” states the resolution, “no class should be allowed to evade the responsibility of contributing its share to this fund, and the association accordingly calls upon the Government to amend the regulations without delay i and to apply the principle of equal rights to all, special privileges to none.” The following motion was also carried :—“ That the attention of the Government be called to the growing intensity of the Communist menace in this Dominion, and that the authorities be urged to take the necessary steps to stamp out the influence of emissaries of the Soviet International, who are pledged to the destruction of those British ideals which guarantee to citizens of the Empire their personal freedom and independence.” EXEMPTIONS FROM LEVY. Minister of Labour Explains Position. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, August 11. A statement regarding exemptions from payment of unemployment levy was made by the Hon S. G. Smith (Minister of Labour) in the House, in reply to criticism by the Protestant Political Association that Roman Catholic priests had received special privileges in connection with exemptions. The Minister quoted the complete regulations on the subject to indicate the various classes of persons who are exempted, these including war pensioners and aged and incapacitated. The fourth class comprised “ every person who for the time being is a member of a religious body whose rules forbid possession by its members of any personal property except clothing and similar personal possessions.” He added that applications for exemption under this regulation had been received from the Marist Brothers, the Mormon elders and ministers of the Latter Day Saints, and it was incorrect to suggest that the Marist Brothers were the only section entitled to exemption. The Hon W. Downie Stewart (Rei form, Dunedin West) : If they have handed over all their property to a church, does the church pay for them? The Minister: They are wholly exempt where they have only personal property and are not in receipt of any income. They do it for love of their profession.