ANGLICAN APPEAL

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 188, 6 May 1940, Page 8

ANGLICAN APPEAL

Merged With National Patriotic Fund MILITARY AFFAIRS Action In Interests Of Economy And Unity At the request of the National Patriotic Fund Board, and in the interests of economy and unity and to present a united appeal to the public, the Church of England Military Affairs Committee, Wellington, has decided to merge its appeal in that of the National Patriotic Fund Board. Notification of this is contained in a circular from the committee read in Anglican churches throughout the Dominion yesterday. The committee’s statement follows: A request was made by the standing committee of the National Patriotic Council that the Military Affairs Committee should receive a deputation to go into the question of the relation of the committee to the National Patriotic Fund Board. The deputation was received by the Military Affairs Committee on March 19 and explained its desire that the Church of England merge its appeal in that of the National Patriotic Fund Board, with the assurance that its Interests would be adequately safeguarded. After some discussion, it was agreed to appoint a sub-committee to discuss possible terms of unification.

This sub-committee met on the same afternoon and decided in favour of unification if such conditions could be obtained as would secure the identity of the Church of England within the framework of the patriotic Fund, and the maintenance of its spiritual work, both at home and abroad. Agreement on All Points. A conference between the sub-com-mittee and the representatives of the National Patriotic Fund Board took place on the same day. It was found that these representatives were willing to assent to all points which the military affairs representatives felt to be essential. After further conferences, terms of agreement were drawn up and subsequently agreed to. In support of the action of the Military Affairs Committee, it should be explained:— 1. That there has been considerable misunderstanding of the original decision of the Church of England to “contract out” of the Government scheme. 2. That Church of England people were being asked to bear a double burden, as they felt their obligation to subscribe to public as well as to Church appeals. 3. That the prime object of the Church of England in contracting out was to secure the opportunity for spiritual ministrations which they feared might not be provided for under the Qrlginal design of the National Patriotic Fund scheme. These have been very adequately guaranteed, and the objects of fhe Church of England thereby attained.

Appeal for Support. The Military Affairs Committee, including as it does all the bishops in the Province of New Zealand, in the interests of national unity has unanimously agreed to this merger and therefore asks members of the Church of England to give their whole-hearted support to the National Patriotic Fund and the Provincial Patriotic Councils in their provinces, confident that their Church will be given every opportunity, both at home and overseas, through that fund to fulfil all her obligations to her sons now cut off from their homes and their Church in the service of their country. More Titan £ll,OOO Collected. The secretary of the committee, Mr. A. 6. Kempthorne, in a letter to vicars throughout the Dominion, states: — Under the new arrangement the work of the Church of England with the fighting forces will continue as at present, both at home and overseas, but finance will be provided through the patriotic fund, though the huts and all equipment become the property of that board. In the matter of finance, it will be of interest to Church people to know that the sum' collected since the war was declared will exceed £ll,OOO, the greater portion of which has been expended on the erecting and furnishing of huts at Papakura, Trentliam, and Burnham, and other work for our forces, thus leaving the old fund from the last war, amounting to £1865/15/8, intact. It will be seen, therefore, that Church people have liberally met their obligations to the troops, and the financial position of the Military Affairs Committee is in a very healthy state at the time of handing over to the National Patriotic Fund Board.