BASIS FOR PEACE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21441, 7 June 1941, Page 4

BASIS FOR PEACE

NEW ZEALAND -CONFERENCE ACTION TAKEN BY CHURCHES In company with similar activities in otner parts of the world, especially in Britain, a conference of leaders, officers and members of the moral and spiritual movements in New Zealand is being convened to find now the foundations on which i the, Christian reconstruction of the Dominion should be based. The conference has the patronage and active support of many church leaders. They have signed the convening order and circular letter to all who are thought able and willing to contribute to its deliberations. The date and place of the conference have yet to be arranged. Like the Malvern Conference recently held in England under the presidency of the Archbishop of York, the assembly will discuss freely and frankly all moral, social and economic problems, the discussions being led by men and women who have made a study of their respective subjects. The Dominion conference, however, will be wider in its scope than the Malvern discussions, for \ those taking part will include repre- : sentatives of all churches and schools of thought. Frank Examination It is expected there will be frank discussions of the present social and economic order, but, unlike many similar discussions, it will be directed to a frank examination of faults with the desire lo find out and put into effect the 'necessary remedies. This Dominion reconstruction conference is designed to show the great degree of unity and common purpose existing in the minds of moral and spiritual leaders and in the hearts of our people. It will, therefore, refrain from discussions on party politics and detailed technical methods but will positively and constructively outline the fundamental Christian principles which alone can provide a true basis for the people’s welfare and a better order. Atheism Active As guiding principles for the conference, the signatories of the convening order believe that the wars and social and economic ills which afflict the nations are due in the first instance to passive, and in some cases, active, resistance to God's i plan for the development of the world and that this plan is available to those who seek it. They believe, also, that prayers for the safety and well-being of our nation must be regarded as hypocrisy unless they are accompanied by a sincere intention to find God’s will for the individual and nation as a whole and to give effect to that will whatever may be the apparent costs. In calling the conference at a time when the Empire is engaged in a struggle for its very existence, the conveners take the view that to do (

fer deliberation on a plan for reconstruction until peace comes would be disastrous. They point out there are many visible signs of militant atheism which has plans for the post-war period and they will find a fair chance of being accepted. The Christian body must, therefore, get ready now. The acting director of the conference is Mr Brian Dunningham, Wellington.