THAT CHURCH PARADE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2615, 10 November 1915, Page 6

THAT CHURCH PARADE

CHRISTCHURCH COMPLAINT DEFENCE MINISTER'S VIEWS The objections being raised by the clergy in Christchurch to tlio Bth Reinforcements visiting that city on Sunday were discussed by the Minister of Defence yesterday. "I have had a communication from the Ma}'or of Christchurch informing me that ho has received a deputation of ministers of the Churches who do not approve of the parading of troops on Sunday," said Mr. Allen. "I must say that I cannot understand their objection, especially in view of the fact that the good Presbyterian community of Dunedin received the wounded soldiers from tho Willochra on Sunday, gave them lunchcon, and there was a short religious service. Tho arrangements were quite a success. In tho ordinary course the Bth would not have visited Christchurch, but I was very anxious that the people , of ChristeKurch should see some of our trained troops. I put the Defence Department to-considerablo trouble to arrange for a visit of tho Bth to Christchurch. ' Wo could not get them away from here before Saturday, which means that they, must arrivo in Christchurch on Sunday. I thought, and I still think, that the public of Christchurch will be quite willing to see these troops on Sunday when they, go there for a church parade, and I can't conceive any more fitting gathering for troops that may bo about to depart on active_ service than a religious service, at which they may meet with the clergy and the people before they go. Unfortunately we could not make any. other arrangements, becauso the transports now have to run a regular timetable in order to fulfil our obligations with respect to'tile dispatch of troops. Wo have to watch cvory hour, and although wo propose to rob some hours of tho ship's time for this visit to Christchurch, we have so arranged that, if they get away at tho appointed time they wall got back soon enough for their later engagements. Wo really can not spare an hour. Otherwise we should have been only too pleased to let Christchurch people have the troops any time they wanted them. But I repeat that I think Sunday is a most suitable day. The people aro free of their ordinary occupations, and they can join with the troops in worship before they leavo. What more fitting ceremony could there be?"