GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 November 1941, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

PREMIER’S MESSAGE TO PRESBYTERIANS

references to war effort.

MAINTENANCE OF MINISTRY. PROPOSALS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TIMARU, This Day. Paying tribute to the part taken by the Presbyterian Church in the national life of New Zealand, the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), in a telegram forwarded to the General Assembly in Timaru, declared that unceasing prayer} and work must be undertaken if the nationa was to Ibe delivered from its threatened oppression. New Zealand's effort was a national contribution to the struggle for civil 'and religious liberty and for all that was precious in the moral and spiritual life cf the world.

The text of the telegram read: “I regret that it is impossible for me to be present at the Moderator’s reception, because I should be exceptionally pleased, at this critical time in human ! affairs, to tender my personal respects [ to the Moderator and members of the General Assembly, and to pay a sincere tribute to the part in national life so conscientiously taken and so creditably discharged by the Presbyterian Church. It is particularly fitting that a member of the War Cabinet, the Hon. A. Hamilton, should be with you on this occasion. Our war effort, being our national contribution to the strug- ' gie for civil and religious liberty and for all that is precious in the moral and spiritual life of the world, is the personal responsibility of all of us. The immediate future is full of uncertainties, but faith in the ultimate triumph of righteousness strengthens our souls and illuminates the path to victory. The nations which do place a true value on every citizen, which recognise the dignity and importance of every individual, which in their legislation follow the Biblical commands to care for the unfortunate, the weak, the aged, the widow and orphans, the sick, suffering and afflicted, will not be overthrown. 'Blessed is he that considcreth the poor. The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.’ I believe in the certainty of .that deliverance, but we must all pray and work unceasingly for it. I hope that the deliberations of the assembly will be most successful and that the church will continue to prosper in all its work.” Recommendations for fixing a standard minimum stipend for ministers of £330 and for the establishment of a maintenance of the Ministry Fund, were placed before the assembly by the Maintenance of the Ministry Committee, which also recommended that consideration of children’s allowances be continued, along with the possibility of establishing a fund to assist the higher education of ministers’ children; also that car allowances of dependent congregations be fixed on the basis of the 1939 recommendations. It was further recommended that a special collection for the maintenance of the ministry be held next year.