WAR A "HIDEOUS EVIL."

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17419, 1 April 1922, Page 6

WAR A "HIDEOUS EIL." V

MANIFESTO FROM THE CHURCHES. LEAGUE OF NATIONS AND THE PEOPLE. The associated churches of Welling' ton met on Tuesday afternoon to rea report from the sub-committee which had been appointed by the meeting held a few weeks ago to draft a manifesto On peace and war and tho League of Nations Union. The meeting was held in St. John's managers room. There were present: Dr. Gibb (in tho chair), Yen. Archdeacon Johnson (Anglican), the Revs. Orr, Inglis, and Comrie, and Messrs Hopkirk, Howitt, and Armour-Thompson (Presbyterian), and Rev. Fathers Cullen 'Uurrihy, and Mestrs O'Regan Hosking vCatholic), the Rev. Rollings (Baptist), and Brigadier Toomer and Major Burton (Salvation Army). The chairman apologised for tho abof the Itetvs. J. It- Glasson (Conere cation a list) and E. Drake (Methodist". He submitted the manifesto prepared by the sub-committee, which had been unanimous in its approval. Mr Glaisson, who unable to attend the meeting of the sub-committee, had Leon supplied with a copy of the manifesto, and approved of it. The manifesto was then considered clause bv clause, and after amendment in some "particulars 'it was unanimously Tdopted. The signatures of the representatives to be appended t 0 the manifesto are set down in the order ot tlie numerical preponderance of the churches tliev respectively represent. The manifesto is as follows: —

"The Inhuman Arbitrament of War." "Representatives of the Anglican, Presbvterian, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and Congregational Churches of Wellington, and of the Salva ion Armv in the same place, having been convened to consider generally tne question of peace and war, and in particular their attitude to tho Lcagu© of Nations and the union now in process of formation in the Dominion to support League, resolve to express their united and profound conviction that the time has fully arrived for the repudiation, bv all civilised nations, o he attemr.t to nd.iust international difference by the inhuman arbitrament of war Thev are persuaded that war is in itself a hideous evil, and a most fruitful Lource of innumerable other evils. To substantiate _ this judgment there is need only to point to the ing condition of human society. The years 1914 to 1918 have inflicted the gravest inj'irv on every interest of mankind—economic, social, moral, and spiritual. The associated churches appeal to their own people .and to all men and womon of good-will to cherish for themselves, and as far as possible to quicken in others, a sentiment or hatred against war; to demand an immediate curtailment of armaments with a view to their ultimate abolition; to insist that our rulers/shall refrain from making secret treaties or alliance with other nations; to refrain from all speech and action calculated to create feelings of suspicion and dislike of other nations, including- our late enemies; and to labour for the coming of an era of universal peace and concord among tho peoples of the earth. "Tho associated churdlies desire also to express their strong approval of, tho League of Nations as a powerful moans of keeping the peace between nations and protecting the world from war. While aware that the League has not yet in every respect fulfilled tlio hopes of the promoters, they are also aware that it has unquestionably aclnieved a notable success in dealing with not a few of the problems submitted to it for solution. There is, moreover, good reason to believe that as time passes and experience is gained, «nd especially when all tho nations without exception are admitted to its counsels, it will not only grow in power and efficiency, but move swiftly forward to its great end —the abolition of war and the paving of the way for the establishment of ft true kingdom of God among men. "The League of Nations will stand or fall accordingly &9 it gains, or tails to gain, the sympathy and support of the masses of tlhe people and of the Christian Churches. The associated churches of Wellington, therefore, hail with deep satisfaction tho emergence of the New Zealand League of Nations Union, and commend to their own people, and to all whom their judgment may influence, tho duty of rallying to tlho support of the Union now being formed in this city, oo that tho Wellington branch may become a source of enlightenment and inspiration to tho community in the intereds of lruman brotherhood and the peace of the world."

Association to Remain in Existence. The chairman congratulated the meeting on the remarkable unanimity tih,it had characterised their proceedings. He suggested that the Association should remain in existence, to be called together as occasion might seem to render advisable. Mr O'Rcgnn moved that the representatives of the churches remain in association, with Dr. Gibb as convener, and that a. hearty vote of thanks ho accorded to him. The motion was adopted witih acclamation. The manifesto will be signed thus: A. M. Johnson (An<rliean), Thomas " ; bb (Presbyterian). Patrick F. Cullcn (Catholic), E. Drake (Methodist), W. S. Rollings (Baptist), H. C. Hoddor (Salvation Arnry), J. Reed Glasson (Coiigregationalist).