MINISTERS AND MILITARISM.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1921, Page 11

MINISTERS AND MILITARISM.

PRESBYTERY DISCUSSION.

SOME GRAVE ASSERTIONS.

The possibilities of another war and the necessity for combating militarism formed the subject of a lengthy motion adopted by the Wellington Presbytery on Tuesday night. The discussion on the motion was brief, but pointed, and the opinion was expressed that men would not come forward to fight in the event of another conflict.

The motion, which was moved by the Rev. Dr. Gibb, ran as follows:—“This presbytery viewe with grave concern the present condition of human society and the hold which the spirit of militarism still manifestly has upon the nations. It agrees with the Prime Minister of New Zealand that the indications are all unhappily pointing to the outbreak ere long of another war, which will, in all probability, far exceed in horror, both for combatants and non-combatants, the war from which we have recently emerged. The presbytery is assured that the only way, under God, by which this desolation may be prevent ad is by means of a League of Nations, or some similar association of the peoples of the world to secure universal disarmament and the creation of tribunals which will adjust international differences without appeal to the brutal and ghastly arbitrament of war. The presbytery realises, as has been again and again pointed out, by Mr. Lloyd. George and many other leading statesmen, that if the League of Nations is to achieve these great ends, it must have the support of a strong and widespread public sentiment, and that the national leaders look largely, if not exclusively, to the Chuneh to quicken and sustain this- sentiment in the hearts of the people. The presbytery, therefore, deems it obligatory to inaugurate in New Zealand a union of all men of good will, and in support of the League of Nations instructs ministers to take steps to form a branch in their respective congregations; and, further, to send a copy of this resolution to the ActingPrime Minister, to local members of Parliament, to the representatives of federated Labor, and to the other presbyteries of the Church.” In moving the resolution Dr. Gibb expressed the opinion that it was unfortunate that the Prime Minister just before leaving New Zealand had predicted the outbreak of another ■ war. Such a view might be wrongly interpreted in other countries, and serve to fan the flames of international antagonism. Things were obviously drifting, and unless the people took action to prevent a conflict the world would have to endure the horrors of another war which might be even worse than the last. The Rev. J. M‘Caw seconded the motion.

The Rev. W. Day: I personally do not fear another war, because you will not get men to come forward and fight. Dr. Gibb: Ah, that is the point. Rev. J. A. M'Kenzie: Not only will men not fight, but Labor will refuse to manufacture the implements of war. Dr. Gibb: Good man. That is more radical than anything I said! The motion was carried unanimously, and a sub-committee was set up to confer with Dr. Gibb for the purpose of giving effect to the suggestions contained in the latter part of the resolution.