UNUSUAL COURSE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 404, 13 December 1932, Page 5

UNUSUAL COURSE

(Press. Assn

IN AUCKLAND CHURCH POLITICAL MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY BY CONGREGATION UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION

.— By Telegraph — CopyrlgHt).

Auckland, Monday. The extraordinary course of moying a resolution of a political character during a divine service was taken at St. Peter's Presbyrterian Church at Grey Lynn on Sunday, when the congregation decided that a message should be sent to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, expressing deep concern at the feeling which has been created in many minds as the result of the recent action of the Government in further reducing.the already inadequate remuneration of relief workers. The congregation respeetfully urged the Government immediately to restore the 10 per cent. cut in relief pay. The incident occurred after the Minister, the Rev. E. H. Kedgley, had ■ made the intimations for the week. He then announced that a very unusual process was about to be adopted, hut he would not have contemplated such an unorthodox proeedure if it were not for the strong feeling of St. Peter's session that the serious situation which had arisen in Auckland warranted such extraordinary action. He read the motion and two members of the session standing up, moved and seconded. Then Mr. Kedgeley said, "I will ask those in favour of^the motion to rise, and those who oppose it to retain their seats." The congregation rose in a body, and the Minister declared that the motion had been carried unanimously. To-day the resolution was forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Employment, the Hon. Adam Hamilton, and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. H. E. Holland. Mr. Kedgley stated to-day that the cut in relief pay had been discussed last Wednesday night by the kirk session. It wTas agreed that the situation called for an expression of opinion from the congregation, and a suitable motion was framed and adopted unanimously by the session and read to the congregation on Sunday. "We know the situation in Grey Lynn," said Mr. Kedgley, "and have been deeply concerned regarding the bitter feeling that has arisen since the cut was made in relief payments. Only reinstatement of the reduetion will prevent an ugly situation."