CHAPLAINS AND DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 November 1921, Page 5

CHAPLAINS AND DEFENCE.

THE PRESBYTERIANS ANGRY. PROTEST AGAINST PROPOSALS. By Telegraph— Press Association. Dunedin. Last Night. The Presbyterian Assembly passed the following resolution: “That in view of the growing strength of the League of Nations, and having regard to the financial pressure of all classes, the assembly resolves to urge on the Government the necessity for drastic retrenchment of expenditure on defence, which is this year set down at over £851.000, and so set free money for reproductive works which would give employment to men at present -unemployed.” Considerable discussion took place in regard to the new defence regulations concerning chaplains, and some heat was engendered iu the atmosphere when these were under consideration. The chaplain’s uniform, as now provided, came in for strong condemnation at the hands of several speakers, one .alleging that “it disfigures a man and makes him look a guy,” and plastered him all over with black. The assembly also resented very strongly the constitution of the board of chaplains to be set up in each of the three commands, which specifies four representatives for the Church of England, two for the Roman Catholic, and three for all non ; Episcopal bodies. The convenor of the chaplains committee also complained that the chaplains committee was ignored by the Defence Department and the church slighted. The committee, in a report submitted to the assembly, protested strongly against the attitude adopted by the Defence Department, and the Assembly agreed to give its unanimous support to the chaplains’ protest. Copies of the resolution will be sent to the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and the Presbyterian members of Parliament.