RELIGIOUS ISSUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 82, 4 October 1938, Page 6

RELIGIOUS ISSUE

NO PROTESTANT ACTION

The following statement has been issued by the Dominion executive Of the United Protestant Association and the legislation committee of the Grand Orange Lodge of New Zealand:—

"Particular interest attaches to the statement made by the Hon. Adam Hamilton on 'Religious Issues in Politics.' The statement is vague as to the immediate reason for its issuance, but the issue raised is not vague. In certain electorates we are aware that by reason of an organised block vote, candidates have been selected who are* not acceptable to; .'.large numbers of electors and will result in spoilt ballot papers. There has not been any attempt on the part of Protestant organisations in any electorate to organise for the selection of candidates. The Protestant organisations, issuing this statement which direct those movements have studiously refrained from action in view of the important issue before the electors: Democracy versus Socialism. If, therefore, sectarian influences are at work or sectarian issues raised, the blame must be placed where it belongs.

"On the other hand, it is an assumption which all history, especially democratic history, disproves, to allege— as Mr. Hamilton has done—that religious issues ought not to have any part in determining votes, The fact that so many people have written to him on the subject is disproof of the assumption. Even in Germany, under Nazism, the proposition is denied by millions.

"The fact remains, however, that no religious or sectarian issue has been raised by Protestant organisations in connection with the forthcoming General Elections."