“BEWARE THE SLUMP!”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 262, 6 November 1945, Page 5

“BEWARE THE SLUMP!”

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH’S WARNING URGE TO BE READY IF HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF (P.A.) Invercargill, Nov. 5. A warning about the possibility of slump conditions in a few years lime and the necessity to make preparation to provide and minister for temporary communities which may spring up as they did in a previous slump period, was advocated by the Rev. L. S. Dewar (Wanganui), speaking al the Presbyterian General Assembly. He referred to the report on home missions, and pointed out that it would be wise to prepare for a future eventuality under that heading. In the early 1930’s he said, slump conditions caused about 10,000 men to be placed under canvas in camps’ in New Zealand. The need for men of the church to be active in those groups was apparent, but the church had not been prepared.

“If, as some say, there is going to be Another slump, then there are sure to be numbers of people forced to live in semi-permanent residences in camps,” said Mr. Dewar. “We would be foolish to wait for that, to happen before we acted. The assembly should instruct the missions committee to keep an eye on the position and be prepared not to be caught napping. “I feel such a condition will inevitably arise in a few years.”

Mr. Dewar then moved: “That the assembly instruct the missions committee to keep an alert eye upon any development of Public Works camps in the more remote areas of the country, and to take steps, in conjunction with Presbyteries the Maintenance of Ministry Committee and a rehabilitation committee, to see that some ministers are appointed to minister to those temporary communities, and that they be provided with the necessary transport, residential and other facilities to carry out their work.” The resolution was seconded by the Rev. R. T. Dodds, and carried.