Hearts of Civilised People Out to German Jewry

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 24, 25 November 1938, Unnumbered Page

Hearts of Civilised People Out to German Jewry

Messages to "Record" from N.Z.’s Spiritual Leader#

The "Record" is happy to be associated with New Zealand's spiritual leaders, who, on this page today, deplore with all sincerity the tragic persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany. The Jewish community in this country is wholeheartedly thankful to the millions of Gentiles, including thousands of New Zealanders, who have rallied to the aid of their unfortunate fellowmen with all manner of help.

"We Are Deeply Grateful" THE Chief Rabbi in New Zealand, the Reverend Solomon Katz: We are overwhelmed and distressed beyond measure by the outrages and barbaric cruelties that were recently perpetrated against our people in Germany. Tt is now perfectly obvious that the entire Jewish population in that country is doomed to destruction and utter annihilation unless the world democracies come to the rescue, and find for them an asylum and a haven of refuge where they can be rehabilitated to a life of security and peace. We are deeply grateful for the manifestations of sympathy with our suffering brethren expressed by so many of the leaders and people in English-speaking countries, both in the British Empire and in America. The Press raised its voice with noble unanimity in condemnation of these inhuman eruelties. The people of our own Dominion are manifesting a spirit of deep sympathy for our brethren in their time of distress. We are deeply grateful.

* Hii Primate of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, his Graee Archbishop Averill: I am full of sympathy for the unfortunate Jews who are suffering at the hands of the Nazis. I regard with abhorrence the way the Jews are being treated in Germany and _ elsewhere. I think that our own and every other country should do something to make provision and room for Jewish refugees. However, I think, too, that they should he earefully selected, Everyone will agree that the pogrom is one of the most horrible

happenings that history can chronicle. There is no excuse for the atrocities and bestial attacks made on helpless minorities in Germany. Presbyterian Sympathy i Very Reverend George Budd, Superintendent of Missions and former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand: The Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, in harmony with Christian people throughout the world, sincerely sympathises with the Jewish people who are being subjected to such a severe persecution at the present time. The history of Jewry is stained with many patches of blood. Through the centuries, trial after trial has fallen on Jewish people in many lands. ., i seems incredible that in the twentieth century a nation should allow itself to treat a section of its citizens with barbarity of the type meted out to the Jews in Germany. That the rash act of a young man driven. to desperation should be revenged by the ruthless slaughter of many, the reckless destruction

or property and the’

tremendous monetary fines imposed, passes belief. To the oppressed and afflicted Jews the Presbyterian people of New Zealand extend their Sincere sympathy and no doubt will share in any practical scheme that will tend to ameliorate the lot of the suffering and distressed Jews in Germany and Central Europe generally, and We assure the members of the Jewish fraternity in New Zealand of our feeling for them. * HE Rev. Perey Paris (Wellington), President of the Methodist Church of New Zealand: The members of (Turn to page 2.)

Z NZ S SYMPATHY--- Continued from Page 1.

the Methodist Church have been filled with horror at the accounts of the persecution of the Jews in Europe. As Christians, we recognise an indebtedness to the Jewish. race which we can never repay. From them we derived the Holy Scriptures; and our Lord Jesus Christ was of the Jewish nation. We believe in the equal spiritual worth of all men before God; and it is contrary to the spirit and teaching of Jesus that any people should be persecuted beeause of racial or religious differences. The Jews will survive, for it is the testimony of history that the Jew

always stands at the grave of his oppressor. We join with all people of goodwill in deploring this modern outbreak of hatred and cruelty against this ancient and God-fearing people; we extend to them our sincere sympathy; and pray that 4 new spirit of justice and peace may soon prevail. The following resolution was carried unanimously this week at the Methodist Synod of the Wellington District :- "This Synod expresses the deepest sympathy with the Jewish people in their fiery persecution, and calls upon

the Government to give all possible practical refuge and shelter to the refugees "’ HE New Zealand Commissioner of the Salvation Arm y, Lieutenant-Commis-sioner F. H. Adams: The Salvtion Army, in common with all other Christian bodies, cannot help but deeply sympathise with the Jews of Germany, who are being persecuted and _ illtreated in a manner which is almost unbelievable in this twentieth century. This latest exhibition of ‘‘the inhumanity of man to

man’’ is undoubtedly one of the alarming symptoms of the present day drift away from the God of love as revealed to us in the New Testament, When we consider the immense debt of Christianity to Judaism, it is inconceivable that any Christian could ever favour anti-Semitism. t was Disraeli, a Jew who was twice Prime Minister of England, whe said, ‘‘Had it not been for the Jews of Palestine the good tidings ef our Lord would have been unknown ior ever to the Northern and Western races."? However mueh we regard the Jews as suffering from the result of that ery, ‘His blood be on us and our childvren,’’ we

eannot believe that God has cast away His people, and we are confident that it is the Divine purpose to gather Israel into Christ’s Kingdom. This is their day of tribulation, and whatever can be done to assuage their sufferings must be done by Christian people in the spirit of Him who gave Himself a ransom for all. * 3 much regret that, at the time of going to press, a reply had not been received from the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brodie on behalf of the Roman Catholic community of New Zealand. Should this message come to hand during the week, it will appear in next weck’s **Record.’’