CAMPAIGN OPENED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 227, 25 September 1945, Page 4

CAMPAIGN OPENED

WELLINGTON CATHEDRAL SUPPORT Tn~wanganui Support for the campaign which has been launched in the diocese to raise funds for the building of the Wellington Cathedral was given at a public meeting in the Wanganui City Council Chambers last night, which was addressed by Sir Charles Norwood, K. 8., executive chairman of the Wellington Committee, and other speakers. The objects of the appeal, the method of raising funds, and the need for such a cathedral were fully explained, and it was decided to form an organising committee for the purpose of setting up a strong executive. An apology was received for the absence of the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. W. Appleton, who is in Christchurch. The Mayor, Hon. W. J. Rogers who presided, said support for the cathedral fund was gaining ground in Wanganui and already had a good foundation. The total amount required was £150,000, of which Wanganui’s share was £8790. On the basis of everybody giving a penny a day for one year, it would be necessary for 5560 people in Wanganui to join the scheme, but with a population of 26,000 this should not be difficult. "I would emphasise that this is a civil effort, and I would earnestly commend this appeal for the widest and fullest support,” said the Mayor.

He added that it was very pleasing to know that the Bishop of Wellington, lhe Right Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, had given an assurance that the building of the cathedral would not compete with housing. Bishop Holland, referring to the sanctity of family life, had said that homes for the people had first priority. When the back of the housing problem was b-oken, the cathedral would begin, but in the meantime a start was being made with the raising of the necessary funds. “I believe that Wanganui will not he lacking i n support,” staid the Mayor. “Wellington is part of Wanganui for this great and noble purpose.” “I wish to personally thank the Mayor. Mr. Rogers, for his willingness to arrange a Mayor’s Committee to give Wanganui an opportunity—l feel sure an important opportunity—to take part, in the Cathedral Appeal Fund,” said Sir Charles Norwood. “The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. Appleton) is a staunch Presbyterian; I. myself am also non-Anglican. I am therefore speaking to the Christian neople of the Wanganui district. When I say Christian people T mean, in effect. all people,” Sir Charles added. “I am of the opinion that the Mayor of Wellington will do no greater work during his public service ,or perform no service of more lasting value to the community than to bring to finality the erection of a cathedral within the Diocese of Wellington, which also includes Wanganui and surroundings.

The Mayor’s Committee in Wellington consisted of leading businessmen and practically all churches were represented. These men were moved to take up the work because they saw no more fitting way to register the great sacrifice of those who had lost their lives in the two great wan; than that their names should be written and sustained in the House of God. “It is proposed that there shall be within thi s beautiful cathedral an undenominational chapel of remembrance. In this shrine, the names of those boys who have made the great sacrifice shall be recorded, regardless of religion or creed,” said Sir Charles. “Doubtless, many of my listeners have had the privilege of seeing the Edinburgh. War Memorial, which, although not the most costly, is by far the greatest living memorial in the world to-day. In the shrine of that memorial is recorded all the names of the British soldiers who lost their lives in the First Great War. I have been attracted by and visited this memorial three times, with years between each visit and on each occasion there was a queue proceeding slowly through this wonderful edifice. On the last occasion, in examining one of the plaques on the wall of the shrine, I was deeply moved, in looking up the printed booklet, to find that it represented Piper MacGregor, of the Waikato Regiment. New Zealand, with comments on his brave deeds. So inspired was the artist, that every scroll within the enclosure of the shrine is emblematic of the great value of ‘Right over Might.’

“How near we can approach this will depend entirely on the artist, but I am able to tell you that the Bishop of Wellington is heart and soul behind featuring this memorial chapel as a living memorial within the solemnity of the cathedral. Doubtless all those who have lost their lives, as well as the thousands who, thank God, are coming back to us, at the vital moment of going into battle, were stirred by Christian thoughts, and to think oi feel that their great sacrifices are sufficiently met by a block of stone or a beautiful niece of architecture, or even a library or art gallery which generations to come will pass unnoticing, is, in my opinion, a poor conception. Many of our boys who lost their lives were subject to a mass burial service, and doubtless many were in the hands of the enemy and had not the privilege of a Christian service, and their relatives were absent from the graveside.

The ideal would be that the whole capital account should be made up by small payments, as the more who participated, the greater would be the meaning of the memorial. It was hoped, also, that those who could afford to give considerable sums would not hesitate. It would hardly be imagined that there was an individual mother or father, whose sons had gone to World War 11, who would not make some contribution, however small. The large body of others who had served the country in other ways was asked to recognise the services of those who did go.

“The cathedral forms part of the Government block, and its position, to some extent, towers over the block,’ Sir Charles added. “When the whole scheme of the Government buildings, with the cathedral, is completed, which of course will take many years, it will be the best setting possible in New Zealand.” Sir Charles said the action of the Mayor of Wanganui in getting behind the scheme and calling this meeting was greatly appreciated. The screening o£ the film, “For Ali Eternity,” which showed scenes of beautiful English cathedrals, was followed by a talk, illustrated by lantern slides, which was given by Mr. Howard Wadman. He dealt with the history and architecture of some of Britain’s most famous cathedrals.

The Rev. Michael Underhill, organising secretary on the church side of the campaign, and Mr. K. W. Kilpatrick, campaign director of the citizens’ side, also addressed the meeting. The organising committee set up foi Wanganui consists of the Mayor (chairman) and Messrs E. W. Merewether A. R. Donaldson, W. S. N. Rennie J. C. Batt, C. R. White R. P. London, E. Poynter and W. Ford (secretary), Mrs. C. R. White, Miss A. M. Blackett and Miss M. Sewell.

ROTARY CLUB ADDRESSED

The view that man must re-dis-cover his spiritual nature and that life lacks true vitality unless it is dependent upon an inner life rooted in God, was expressed by Mr. H. Wadman. Wellington, yesterday when he addressed th? members of the Wanganui Rotary Club, in aid of the Wei-