CRITICISM

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1932, Page 2

CRITICISM

ON DISARMAMENT. LONDON, November 17. Outspoken criticism by clergymen of the failure of the nations to disarm was made at the Congregational Union Assembly at Wolverhampton. “If we could do aw’ay with Sandhurst, Woolwich and Dartmouth the life of this country would be infinitely healthier,” said the Rev Leyton Richards, pastor of Carr’s Lcn© Church, Birmingham. It is the men trained there who have hamstrung the Disarmament Conference.

“Out of every £1 of taxation, 13s 4d went for military purposes, and yet nobody suggested economy in that direction. They, suggested cuts in every other direction—from education, unemployment pay and salaries.” The Rev. R. L. Parry (Manchester) said that if Sir John Simon—who was one of their own people—had said when President Hoover made his proposals, “I wish they vent further, but fo far as they go w© will support them,” the whole aspect of the world would have been different to-day. “Not to keep our word to Gut many regarding disarmament is the diriest, most un-English thing we could do,” Mr Parry added.

The Assembly carried a resolution moved by Mr Richards, expressing profound disappointment with the meagre results so far attained by the Geneva Conference and reaffirming its convictions that war was inconsistent with Christian ideals*