FORCES AGAINST PEACE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 89, 12 October 1934, Page 5

FORCES AGAINST PEACE

CHURCH'S RESPONSIBILITY

EVIL OF MILITARISM

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, October 11. Tho evil of militarism, its power to bring about disaster, and the futility of the armaments race- between nations was the keynote of a motion and speech by the Bey, 0. S. 0. Gibson, of Tauranga, at the " Anglican Synod at Napier today, when tho following roj solution was carried: — ' That this Synod views with alarm and deep regret the present international situation, tending as it does i to another disastrous race in armaments. It believes the Church has a solemn responsibility to show leadership, and that every individual member should think peace and work for peace. Furthermore, it urges upon all Christian people tlje vital and urgent necessity of bearing steady and consistent witness to the Christian ideal, and helping by all possible means any organisation or movement, such as the League of Nations, which tends to promote peace in the world. Mr. Gibson said that the world yearned for peace, but the nations were dominated by fear. The war issue was primarily a moral one, and vitally concerned the Christian Church. The gravity of the present situation must be clear to everybody. Cable reports might bo exaggerated at times, but there could be no doubt that a remarkable attitude of mistrust and fear existed between nations. "The position is a tragic one," he said, "and it is impossible' to avoid feeling that it has been largely created by armament firms. People in general want peace. Vast forces must be operating against peace being kept." Other speakers supported the sentiments expressed by Mr. Gibson, expressing the opinion that it did good for the Church to express its opinions on such subjects.