CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 136, 1 August 1941, Page 8

CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT

DOMINION RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE In company Avith similar activities in other parts of the AA'orld, especially in Britain, a conference of lead- - ers, officers and members of thje moral and spiritual movements in ' NNeA r Zealand is being convened to 1 find now the foundations on AA'hi'eb the Christian reconstruction of the Dominion should be based. The conference has the patronage and active support of many of our i Church leaders. They have signed the convening order and circular letter to all Avho are thought abl'cy and Milling to contribute to its deliberations. The date and place of tfhe conference have yet to be arranged. Like the Malvern Conference recently held in England under the presidency of the Archbishop of York, the assembly Avill discuss freely and frankly alii moral, social and economic problems', the discussions being led by men and Avomen Av'fro have made a study of their respite-j tiA'e subjects. The Dominion Conference, however, Avill be wider in its: scope than the Malvern discussions,, for those taking part will include representatives of all churches and schools of thought. It is expected there Avill be frank discussions of the present social and economic order, but, unlike many similar discussions, it w v il'l be directed to a frank examination of faults with the desire to find ou't and put into effect the necessary remedies. This Dominion Reconstruction Conference is designed to shoAV the great degree of unity and cominion purpose existing in the minds 1 of moral and spiritual leaders and in the hearts of our people. It Avill therefore refrain from discussions on party politics and r7ctailied technical metlfods but will positively and constructively outline the fundamental Christian Principles Avhich alone can provide a true basis for the people's Avelfare and a better order. As guiding principles for the conference, the signatories' of 'the convening order belScA'e that the Avars and social and economic ills Avhich afflict the nations are due in the first instance to passive, and in some cases, active, resistance to God's plan for the development of • the ' world and that this plan is availabie ; to those avlio 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 AA'hole and to give effect to thnt will whatever may be the apparent costs. In calling the conference at a ! time Avhen the Empire is engaged in a struggle for its very existence, the conveners take the view that to defer deliberation on a plan for reconstruction until! peace come Avould be disastrous. They point out there are many visible signs of militant atheism Avhich has plans for the post Avar period and that if these are the only ones available to a Avar-"weaiy Avorld they Avill find a fair chance of being accepted. The Christian body must therefore ge't ready noAV. Christianity, being AA'hat it is, inevitably must be accepted. What can and Avill happen unless advantage is taken of the present opportunity, is that the extension of God's Kingdom on earth may be retarded, thus creating more AA*ars and social and economic evilsi. c

Full information regarding this forthcoming Dominion .Reconstruction Conference will be most willingly forwarded to all who write to Box 944 Wellington.