MORE WORLD CONSCIOUS

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6105, 22 September 1947, Page 8

MORE WORLD CONSCIOUS

NEW ZEALANDERS OUTSHINE AMERICANS

COMMENT BY CLERGYMAN

"The average New Zealander is a much more world conscious person than the average American," said Pastor E. P. C. Hollard, ' of Wellington, who returned recently from the International and World Conferences of the Churches of Christ in Buffalo, New York. This he ascribed to the much better and clearer presentation of world news through the Press of this country. America was so big that there was more than enough news to fill papers with just the local events, and as a result ; Americans are lamentably ignorant on world affairs. In no direction was their ignorance greater than in connection with New Zealand. At various meetings he was asked astounding questions. Most questioners seemed to think that New Zealand was under the domination of England and that this country had to pay a great levy each year for the upkeep of the King and the Royal Family. Others asked him what conditions were like back in the Philippines. . ■ ■ , ' The Whole of the nine weeks he was in America ,he saw one tiny reference in the newspapers to New Zealand. The continual front-page story concerned Russia, which was Number One topic. There seemed an inevitability that the United States must fight Russia at some time. "As far as I can see, America s fears are: Fear of Russia, fear of the Jews, fear of the negroes, and fear of depression," said Pastor Hollard. Although 45 per cent of the City of New York were Jews, everywhere he went on his tour—from California to the east coast—he, found this antiSemetic feeling. Regarding negroes, the north seemed of the opinion that they could be educated, but in the Louth opinions Avere adamant and clear cut that the negro must be kept down. Although there was a wave of prosperity, most people had a dread of a depression which they felt was coming. '■'' . He found that a large percentage ot Americans were church-goers and he found churches welkfilled everywhere 'he went. The international conference of the Churches of Christ is held every year and is. attended by delegates from America and Canada, while the world congress is held every three years. This year delegates from 32 nations attended, including 12 from New Zealand.

Outstanding addresses were given by Dr Stanley Jones, whom Pastor Hollard described as "No. 1 gentleman of the Christian world." Dr Jones was full of admiration for Britain's action in India, which he knew well as a missionary, and described her action in granting independence as "the greatest light in the last two decades." "It was strange," said Pastor Hollard, "that despite the ignorance and criticism of Britain by so many people I have often heard the remark, 'I wish we had British justice here.'"