NEEDED MORE THAN EVER

Chronicle (Levin), 12 July 1947, Page 7

NEEDED MORE THAN EVER

-Press Association

R.S.A. WANTS SILENT PRAYER PERIOD TO CONTINUE

By Telegraph

WELLINGTON, July 11. Although the war had ceased the opinion of the Dominion exeeutive committee of the N.Z.K.S.A. was that at present more than ever hefore did the principle governing the 9 p.m. silent prayer require stimulation and encouragement, said a statement issued tpday "by the New Zeal&nd Eetnrned Services' Association. The people of the world were unsettled. Internationally there appeared to he a lack of desire for mutual friendliness and understanding as to the socalled "rights" of mankind, and the possibility of the "four freedoms" becoming mere words rather than actual facts did not seem to he very remote, the statement said. The unity of the peoples of the world personifled Ohristianity and Christianity involved a thorough appreciation of the existing and prospective circumstances hoth of individuals and nations, and one minute oi one day devoted to earnest prayer for universal tolerance and undertanding was considered by the Association tp he infinitesimal to the vital importance of the objective of humanity. Memhers of Parliament (botn Government and Opposition) had supported the proposal that the 9 p.m. period of silent prayer would he ohserved on Sundays only — "as a tribute to those who had died" — it being felt that that night would carry tne most significance. The silent prayer period had been regulnrly observed at all meetings cf the Dominion Council and Dominioii 'exeeutive committee of the N.Z.R.S.A., and it was believed this was the practice throughout the whole organisation. Branches were urged to maintain the observance of the minute' s silent prayer at 9 p.m. at all functions and the Association invited oth-er organisations to follow its example.