Church Of Scotland Wants Country To Have More Control

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 May 1948, Page 5

Church Of Scotland Wants Country To Have More Control

(Special N.Z.P.A. Correspondent) Reed. 8.40 p.m. London May 26

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland carried a resolution urging an inquiry into the practicability of giving Scotland a greater share of control over its own affairs, and instructing that a special report on the matter be submittea to the next meeting of the Assembly.

Moving the adoption of the resolution. Professor J. H. S. Burleigh rebutted criticism that ’he Assembly should not venture into the political field and said there was nothing the Assembly could do to better effect than to draw attention to the dangers of over-centralisation of political and economic power in London. The Duke of Montrose, also supporting the resolution, urged that the Church of Scotland should be given adequate representation in a reformed House of Lords. The Upper House could not at present properly discuss religious subjects when the only official religious opinion inside the House was that of the Church of England.

Hp denied charges that those advocating greater Scottish control of Scottish affairs were trying to separate England from Scotland. He was sure 99 per cent, of the people of Scotland were quite content to remain an integral portion of the United Kingdom.”