SYNOD AND WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2776, 20 May 1916, Page 12

SYNOD AND WAR

' "DOES.' NOT ! FEAK/ COMPULSION." ' Before.-the. business on the order paper for consideration ut tlie Anglican General' Synod was gone on with on May 8, . the Primate' obtained. permission for the Hon. A. T. Magin'nityi M.L.C., to address Synod on the subject of tho approaching session of Parliament.

Mr. Maginnity said that he did not propose to utter i one word that could by the most extreme interpretation be deemed to be a matter of political import. He had begged the 'consideration of. Synod because, at the present juncture, and in regard, to .the approaching session, thera 'were questions coming before Parliament which might prove of vital'importance to the nation. . Mr. Lloyd George had said that national unity is necessary, to. achieve national victory. (Hear, hear.) At the present moment, according to a ,'telegram from the Prime Minister receiv- . ed that morning,,upwards of 100,000 eligible men in the Dominion had failed to give in their names for active service. This embraced a number of married men. The speaker appealed to the fathers and mothers,, and sisters, and wives, .of eligibles to. help in this crisis. Success in the present awful struggle meaut freedom, and peace; and all that is £<jod. He asked if. our eligibles realised (1) that their services are required now, and that (2) within 40 • days' sail from New Zealand our were in actual grips with the eneiiiy. .Later in- tluj afternoon Dean Carrington moved ■ "The Geneir/il-. Synod of the Church of the Province of New Zealand desires to convey to the Eight Hon. the Prime Minister and the. Government, its sympathy with, them' ini. their heavy responsibilities, and to assuve them of the whole-hearted support of |;he Church.in their efforts to uphold! the.'cause of the Empire and the liberties of the nations." Dean Caj.-rington said that the motion had been suggested by Mr. Maginnity's remarks. He thought that tho Government shovdid be assured of the- support of the ChiJircli in endeavouring to uphold the honour of the country. All were of one opiniom regarding the war, and thoso who had :iuade such great sacrifices, would not shrin'li from making more. Mr. W„. J. Speight seconded, and said that- the/p could assure the Government, that the; Synod did not fear compulsion. The.v hoard much of'"equality of sacrifice," some contending that it should mean equality of sacrifice in connection with wealth, but the first equality of sacrifice was in. respect to sacrificing their sons, Some |.iad responded to the call of the Einpirfsrbnt there remained behind some curs,.-loafers, and spongers, and the fellows who wanie'd to live on the proceeds of the war." He spoke feelingly; he had three sons fit, and they had gone to. tho froiit. and if he had thirteen they would go if the country needed them.-. They shouM let Parliament know that .Synod was u-ith it heart nnd soul in whatever steps; it chose- to make to preserve tho intc-(:rity of the Empire and the continuance of the freedom of our fellow-men. Ttle motion was agreed to unanimously. Syr/id landing and singing tho National I An!hem. - . Tho Hon. A. T. Maginnity said he would dee m it an honour to convey personally, a copy of the Synod's resolution to the' Prime Minister.