REPORT SENT BACK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20231, 15 February 1934, Page 4

REPORT SENT BACK.

Presbytery Discusses World Problem. The monthly meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery was held yesterday, the Moderator (the Rev L. M’Master) presiding. The Rev J. A. Allan spoke on the report of the economic sub-committee of the Public Questions Committee. He said it had taken the report and found it far too wordy and vague, and a revised copy had been prepared. Mr Allan moved that the report as presented be adopted. A clause in the report stated that It was believed important to affirm that the present world situation had deeper roots than merely economic considerations suggested. They were passing through a crisis of civilisation which manifested itself in the spheres of science, philosophy, art, literature, social organisation, politics, moraiity and religion, as well as in the sphere of economics. Men had tried to base the world's life on the things of time and had assumed the self-sufficiency of man. A general discussion followed. The Rev G. Johnston moved an amendment as follows:—“lnasmuch as economic reports all over the world differ widely in regard to the cause of the present economic world crisis, this Presbytery expresses no opinion on the subject; but desires to put on record its unalterable conviction that only in the exercise of good will among the nations of the world, one towards another, can world problems be solved, and further that the exercise of such good will is ix>ssible only in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.” “ Pious Platitudes.” In speaking to the report, Mr Johnston said that it contained nothing but pious platitudes. It was no use their saying that they must solve the problem of distribution. The question was how it was to be done. It could only be done by some radical measures dealing with the war debts of the world. The Rev G. K. Aitken seconded the amendment. Another member said the report was futile in its sameness. The Rev T. W. Armour suggested referring the matter back to the commitMr Allan said the discussion had been futile. Hie had no objection to its being referred back to the committee, hut he had no idea what they wanted the committee to do with it. It was finally decided to refer the matter back to the committee. Retreat To Be Held. Reporting for the Life and Work Committee on the proposed Presbyterial retreat, the Rev T. W. Armour said it was suggested that they meet in a less formal manner. - .New Brighton had been suggested for the meeting place, the retreat to take place before the next meeting of the Presbytery. I-Ie moved that the following be elected a committee: Messrs Boyd. Patterson, Allan and Woods. lie further moved that the arrangements outlined be made. The motions were carried. A new system of grants for missions was brought forward by Mr W. 11. Rose, who outlined the directions in which improvements could be made. After discussion a motion put forward by Mr Rose was lost.