WAR EFFORT OF NEW ZEALAND PEOPLE

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 189, 7 May 1940, Page 9

WAR EFFORT OF NEW ZEALAND PEOPLE

Vicar Comments On Signs Of Apathy

NEED FOR ATTENDING MID-WEEK SERVICES

The opinion that too many New Zealanders were displaying a regrettable spirit of apathy to the war was expressed by the vicar of St. Anne’s Church, Northland, the Rev. J. E. Ashley-Jones, when stressing in a sermon on Sunday the need for people attending mid-week Holy Communion and intercession services. He added that church people should realize in these days that it was their duty not to overlook such services. It was not right that they should be neglected. Mr. Ashley-Jones said all people should read the speech of the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, to a gathering of Southland farmers at the Centennial Exhibition last week. The Prime Minister, in saying that in the light for victory there was a place for everyone, not only those who had gone with: the forces, but all, had added that when in England he had had the privilege of witnessing the spirit of the British people and observing how they had organized their national resources in order to carry on determinedly tbi war-winning effort. The British people were making a stand in a dignified and courageous way, and nowhere was a sign of fear or cowardice to be discerned. “For our part,” the Prime Minister had said, “the least we can do is to use our utmost efforts in our respective positions in life to help our soldiers and the nation to victory.” “I do wish,” Mr. Ashley-Jones said, “that our people would take to heart those words of the Prime Minister, for I am afraid there is too much apathy in this country in respect to the war and that many fail to appreciate the magnitude of the 'struggle and the gravity of the situation. We in this country perhaps cannot realize just what the people in the Old Country are going through, and it is here that I should like to say how pleased I am that our Prime Minister has been able to visit Britain and see for himself how magnificently tlie British people are standing up to their trials and dangers. They realize what is at stake and are making every effort to ensure victory. Spiritual Effort. “The same cannot be said of all people in this country, even in this district. It may be asked what we can do. Well, it may not be possible for all to fight, but we can all pray. If in no other way, we can do our part on the spiritual side. Wc know that God answers prayer. He has done so time and time again in our national history. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. We can pray for victory, and for our soldiers, sailors and airmen to be sustained in their hours of danger. Our young men who have gone to fight for us will often be thinking of us, their parents; in their times of peril they will, I am sure, look upward to things eternal. The least we can do is to pray for them., “That is why I urge that all our people should become alive to what is at stake and, besides Sundays, should come to the midweek Holy Communion and intercession services to offer up their prayers that Almighty God will bless and prosper the cause for which we and our. Allies are fighting. A few days ago a rather distinguished man remarked to me, ‘lt is time New Zealand woke up.’. That is true, and that is why I should like to see more concern shown by the people in regard to the war. The time is coming, and may come soon, when all will have to take a very practical part in the conflict. There is need of an awakening.”