BURNHAM CAMP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 November 1941, Page 8

BURNHAM CAMP

ABSENCE OF CHAPEL ASSEMBLY GREATLY CONCERNED. OFFICER’S EXPLANATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TIMARU, This Day. The Presbyterian General Assembly declared itself greatly concerned over the failure of the military authorities to erect a chapel at Burnham Camp. The Rev J. T. Macky said that the churches must put their weight behind this just demand. “Burnham is the only mobilisation camp in the South Island,” said Mr Macky, “where there is not a chapel.” The following resolution was passed: “The Assembly expresses its deep concern that so many obstacles have been placed by the military authorities in the way of the erection of a chapel at Burnham, and instructs the chaplains’ committee to leave no stone unturned in pursuing this matter up to a successful issue.” Brigadier B. Mead, officer commanding the Southern Command, wrote concerning the Assembly discussion regarding the absence of a chapel at Burnham Camp. He said that the public might infer that the Army authorities were not in favour of providing a chapel at Burnham. This was very definitely not the case, as a church which was owned by the Army Department and which was completely undenominational already existed in the camp area and was available on application. The Assembly acknowledged the letter and asked the moderator in reply to state that the Assembly had been fully informed of the offer of the Anglican Church, which he described as completely undenominational, and had accepted the advice of the chaplains’ committee that it was quite unsuitable for the purpose, but that he would be glad to supply the Press with the fullest information concerning the efforts'of tlfe Presbyterian Church and the Y.M.C.A. to have a chapel erected.