The following for submission to the NATIONAL HOUSING COMMISSION;j) that houses approved under sub-economic housing schemes should

be large enough to permit of adequate family life.The following for submission to the GOVERNING BODIES OF UNIVERSITIESi

k) that they should establish courses in religious knowledge which would be open to all students, not only to future teachers and ministers.The following for submission to LfUIT ICI PAL ITIES ;

1) that this Conference considers that municipal beer-halls aredoing more harm than good, and that the provision of facilities for public beer-drinking by women is revolting to African opinion and conducive to immorality.The following for submission to the committee now concerned with the SOCIAL SECURITY measuress

m) that the "family, allowance" clauses should be reinserted in the social security scheme.The following for submission to the EXECUTIVE OF THE CHRISTIAN COUNCIL.

n) that a list of literature suitable for sex instruction and preparation for marriage be drawn up.

o) that at the earliest possible opportunity the Christian Council of South Africa appoint representatives to form a consultative committee with representatives of Christian business men and industrialists, this committee to be the operative link between trie Churches and industry.

p) that this committee should plan an organisation of Chaplains for Indus try.

q) that, the system of study circles having proved of outstanding value in educatijig Christian opinion, it be continued and extended, and that the Christian Council continue to supply material.

r) that, to ensure the continuance of the fellowship of this Conference, a fellowship of thought and faith, further Auxiliaries of the Christian Council be formed.

PROPOSAL FOR CHRISTIAN SOUTH AFRICA MOVEMENT.1. That a concerted plan be drawn up by all Churches represented

on the Christian Council of South Africa, whereby the leadingcentres in So'uth Africa be visited in turn by synchronized missions to every parish and congregation, each according to its own denomination.2. That^for this_purpose each denomination should second a team of

missioners suited to the varied needs of men, women, andchildren, youth and the aged, etc. At least two such teams would be needed by each Church? i.e. one for European work and one for Native work (consisting of missioners with a knowledge of the appropriate language, and Of some Africans), and possibly also one for Coloured work.; the idea being that missions should be held in locations simultaneously with those held in the adjacent European areas.. Possibly several teams would also be necessary for each Province in order to cover the ground more speedily. * It Is ............

recommended that the teams should contain missioners - clergy, laymen and women — with special knowledge of moral problems as tney appeal to modern eyes ; and with a vision 01 how all tnat is best in tne expanding life of our day may be caught up into the service and worship of Christ. First visits would probably need to be of two or three weeks' duration, while large centres would have to be dealt with in several separate sections (e.g. Johannesburg).3 . That careful preparation should be made in each centre in

advance, and all possible channels of interest captured, e.g.booksellers can be advised to prepare for a demand_for religious literature, bioscope managers for a demand for uplifting films; and the co-operation of the local press should be secured.4. That before the Mission leaves a centre every possible line of

social club or other interest be fostered towards providinghealthy occupation and recreation for good natural and cultural interests, e.g. choral societies capable of rendering uplifting works, religious and other; dramatic societies of similar kind; sports societies, etc.The aim of all this being the support of new enthusiasm on all sides of daily life, to avoid subsequent lapse by congruity of environment.5. That the. centre should then select its own personnel for teams

prepared to evangelise the neighbouring districts in the sameplanned synchronized way.6 . That the movement be known as Christian South African and be

provided with a badge bearing an outline map of S.Africasupporting a plain’Cross with rays, and headed with the initials C.o'.A. That it be encircled with a rim bearing dates to be inscribed annually on the renewal of the simple basic undertaking required. But that no new association with its own meetings be formed; rather all engaged in Christian societies and endeavours should belong to the uover-society” binding all in a common unity recognizable by all in . every walk of life. (Same and badge are subsidiary details, but the. above suggestion is a help to visualization of the idea).7. That if 1944 can be spent in preparation, the campaign should

open in 1945, and be planned to cover the five years 1945-1950;-and that during this period an attempt be made to cover the ground three times - i.e. two (probably shorter) return visits being paid•*- o G c iC il CGl”l*t3?0 o

(It would”be good for the movement to be under way before demobilization takes place, and to span the period during which demobilization is effected).S. That financial considerations should not be unduly stressed, as once the initial funds for launching the campaign have been met_, the scheme should finance itself through local response. Further, as the services of all existing Church incumbents and lay workers will be used, expenses will be kept at a minimum - chiefly confined to the travelling, sustenance and salaries of tile travelling team.General Notes'The Education Departments of the Provinces have been and still are busy with problems of religious instruction in schools and are resolved to set their houses in order in this respect. Many are nor asking, nat are the Churches doing?" The function of _ the Churches is a distinctive one, and no school education, necessarily undenominational, can take its place.

Further, the plan outlined above removes the stigma of disunity from the criticism of the lay mind, since all churches will be pulling together. At the same time, it enables each Church to go all out on its own ethos', doctrine and practice without any vexed questions arising (e.g. regarding exchange of pulpits). Yet such a movement

would be tacitly working towards the solution of the problem of Reunion of the Churches.

It will be competent for the missions to arrange occasional mass meetings or processions interdenominationally, but not essential.Thus there need be nothing to deter the Roman Catholic Church from simultaneous mission activity in its own parishes and areas.

The general aim of such a Christian South Africa Movement might be detailed as follows;

(a) To bring cleansing to our national, social and personal life, and to raise the whole standard of living for ordinary men and women on to a more Christian basis, in every "occupied area.1'

(b) To bring a new positive revelation of Christ fitted to the highest ideals of the age now opening.

111 • EL L 0 E 11 F 0 N T E I N.

EDUCATION,,1. The Christian Council is requested to help Schools and

Principals to find teachers with a Christian spirit.2. Recommended that tiiere should be close co-operation between the

Christian Council and the Christian Education I ovoment.

SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS.1. The Council is asked to do What it can to meet the need for an

inter-denominational newspaper.2. The Council is asked to frame a Bible-reading fellowship, with

daily notes.

GENERAL.1. It is suggested that Christian Council Auxiliaries be formed

wherever possible, and that if a regional committee is necessary, the Bloemfontein committee should act as such.

2. That the "Christian Council Quarterly" be more v idely distributed, and that there be more publicity with respect to the Christian Council among congregations.

3. Study pamphlets should be written more simply with the needs of the Africans In view 5 and more time should be available for the discussion of each subject. The Council might invite suggestions- for study from study groups.

iv„ P U R B A N .

EDUCATION.

Training of the Laityi(a)(b)

in order to assist ordinary church members to attain to "the Priesthood of all believers in ordinary church life.

(iv) Visiting homes where occupants are outside the fellowship of Christian Communities and holding Gospel meetings if possible in the vicinity of such.

(v) For Club Leaders.Presentation of the GospeJL.

The masses of the people should be considered•(a) Language understood by ordinary people should be used.(b) Theological training and methods one of the major causes

of the°Church being out of touch with the people.Simple Evangelistic training is what is required.

(c) Use of cinematograph may be useful but amateur dramatic performances and those means in which children can them­selves participate are more commendable.

Libraries? of Christian Literature for (a) Adults (b) Juveniles. Should not a special board be constituted to be responsible for selection?Closer collaboration with the Student Christian Association desirable.

Teaching of Religion in '..on-SecAaxig SL Schools.;Need for defining the policy of the Churches in respect of this matter.Should the Churches’ policy be to seek the co-operation of the State and all sections of the community interested in the good life to prepare a character training curriculum for the schools? and ....The Churches to pursue a more vigorous training for the children of their own members in that side of religion for the spiritual capacities of heart and mind.At the same time seeking to influence the educational system along lines that will develop the whole personality and free the child from the bondage of suppression by such systems as that imposed by examinations.

Cinema Controlled 3v Christian People/. Is it possible for such aventure to be undertaken?

For those to serve as .teachers of the young.For those to serve' as Home Visitors*.-

' (i) rendering assistance to parents. )(ii) arranging study circles. ) Evangelists(iii) fostering fellowship groups. )

HAJNT£,NAKCE OF CHURCH T-7QRKMinisters of the Churches are kept busy with a variety of duties. In view of present demands in business and industry on employers and employees there is a scarcity of voluntary workers. Can the Church carry on entirely by voluntary helpers? Must not consideration be given to maintenance of certain workers for the efficient carrying out of Church work?Cannot Churches and Organisations by unity solve this problem in some measure? particularly in regard to Clubs for boys and girls, camping activities etc., and possibly in other directions?

HQM-i-i LIFE.Marriage? A distinction should be made between Christian and non-

Cnristian marriages. This should be very seriously considered.

Migratory Condition of labour breaking up homes; Very active steps are required to deal with this matter.

INDUSTRY.The Christian Church should face modern evils such as gambling on stock exchanges and elsewhere.The Liquor traffic should be studied and every effort made to reduce its power in the land.Christians should unite to oppose evil influences working for selfish gain such as excess profits.Co-operative ventures should be supported.

SOCIAL WORK.(a) Need of Churches having social action Committees in all areas

under the guidance of the Christian Council.(b) Need of the Churches having their own social workers, as

distinct from State Social workers, to collaborate with evangelists.

(c) Need of the Christian Community of S.A. co-operating closely with State Social Services.

(d) The Churches should take in hand the organising of Nursery Schools for all races. This is very vital.

(e) Cannot the Churches get persons who have studied economics and are now disunited through various causes, i.e. being in different political parties etc., to unite and make a stand for a sounder economic life in this country?

(f) Christian influences in respect to the electing of the best people to public life.

(g) The Colour Bar both within the Church and in the Nation should be a natter of continuous concern.

(i) 'Bridging over1’ in Church fellowship.(ii) Studying the lives of the various sections of the

community to understand their outlook and know how to meet, their need to remove that sense of inferiority imposed by the presence of a colour bar in the country.

A

(h) There should be diligent examination .into the causes ofinternational disruptions to ascertain what steps can be taken by Christians toward better relationships.

V. J 0 H A H N E S 3 U R G .

HOME,1. The subject is so wide, and of such vital importance that the

Christian Council should consider the possibility of launching a campaign in connection with this matter only*

2. It is suggested that the problem be approached from some •particular angle so as to make the challenge more definite.

3. The most suitable subject for focussing public attention on the problem will be "Christian Marriage" -(and Divorce?)/

4. The Campaign must be supported by suitable literature - possibly specially written by competent persons.

5. It was found that the problem is somewhat different in the case of Rural and Urban Africans from that of Europeans, and the Christian Council will have to decide how this difficulty will best be met if such a Campaign is to be launched.With particular reference to Africans the following points were

made in the discussions-\

1. Re Boeadi (Lobola). The Christian Council is requested to make a pronouncement on (a) the legal and (b) the Church position vis-a-vis the present position.

2. Irregular Unions. Pressure should be brought to bear on the Government to define its attitude towards them.

3° Social Conditions in some of our Urban locations make the building up of Christian homes very difficult.

4. Youth Movements. Better use should be made of the Girl-Wayfarer and Pathfinder-Scout movement for giving the sex in­struction to Bantu Youth which formerly was given at initiation ceremonies under tribal conditions, in preparation for marriage. Church Confirmation classes also afford valuable opportunities for talks on preparation for Marriage.

5- Initiation Schools. Christian Missions should try and work, through tribai initiation schools. There have been instances of this in the past.

EDUCATION.In Home and School ~ need for a Parent-Teachers1 Association by

means of which parents can form a true conception of education.

N

s

Need for a statement of true aims of education in relation to the Christian conception of personality and the purpose of life in order that present false trend of preoccupation with examinations might be redirected„

Christianity in Universities. Leaders of the S.C.A. should have the training and experience of University professors and be accorded similar status,

Christianity and Teachers, Vital need for Churches to do more to encourage Christians to regard teaching as a Christian vocation.

SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS.Attention of the Christian Council is called to the fact that

there are many non-Christian agencies working in non-European - communities and urges the Council to take an active part in community

welfare work as part of its programme. This can be brought about by the Council's constituent bodies working in co-operation with existing welfare work. It should do this on a Christian united basis.

Relationships of individuals within the Church, To offset barriers of social status within the Church, it is suggested that the Christian Council takes steps to form groups or cells for Christian intercourses and for study,' For this purpose the Council is urged to prepare and issue carefully prepared pamphlets for the guidance of these groups.

The language question. It was urged that English-speaking people should consider whether it is not their Christian duty to learn Afrikaans, and the Afrikaans-speaking people the English language. Further, that European schools should make provision for the teaching of at least one African language.

United Evangelistic campaign. The Executive of the Christian Council is urged to lay before organisations such as Church Councils, Ministers' Fraternals, Missionary Conferences, the Christian Educa­tion Movement, and similar bodies, the need to obtain unity of action in strengthening the existing bonds of unity. Realising the difficulties Y;hich confront some communions in definite evangelistic campaigns, it was urged that such groups should join the united action to such degree as was possible,

Social Security. Without sanctioning this name, the following resolution was accepteds- "That Social Security, embodied in a special security Code applied to all sections 'of the community and particularly to those In most need, does express the Lind of Christ in regard to social relationships and. should be actively supported by the Christian Churches."

Treatment of anti-social men and women. Agreement was expressed that, in dealing with the anti-social individual, the community should be led by the Christian Church towards a change from the present revengeful and retributive methods of Justice to a con­structive policy of re-education and reform. The movement Initiated for Penal Reform was commended to all Christian people, and approval given to the creation of a Penal Reform League for the purpose of seeing the present prison system changed into a re-educative as well as -a protective system,

BUS IT.! ESS AND INDUSTRY,Believing that the Church has failed to influence Industry and

Commerce in the Christian principles about Loney, Industrial Welfare, Profit motive, the right use of Leisure, Wage standards etc., this group finds that there must be a change in the Church's approach to the Social, Industrial and Economic problems of the country. It suggests;-

1. That there is need for convincing propaganda to be used in Church congregations5 and suggests,that the use of films, organised tours of industry, and of slum areas, might be employed.

2„ The Church should urge its clergy to expound from the pulpit the relationship of Christianity to Industry. The group recommends the Christian Council to set this in motion so as to assist the clergy in their study for that preaching.

3. The group suggests that the Christian Council gives considera­tion to the creation of a Christian Industrial Front, or Fellowship, in which Christian employers and employees can find fellowship, leadership and incentive.

4. From such a fellowship the* creation of Industrial Evangelistic Teams might be considered, and such teams might become a permanent feature of Church life.

5. The Christian Council, when it plans its Evangelistic effort, should do so on the lines adopted successfully in other parts of the world, that is, on the Team basis, as follows?-A Minister to proclaim the Faith -An Industrialist 11 " " in relation to Industry.A ' orker " " " H 11 " the Worker.a Mother/Teacher " " " " " " Home/School &c.

6. The group urges the Council to continue to press for more teaching about "stewardship” in Schools and Colleges.

In addition to the above, the following suggestions have been received from an isolated study group at All Saints in the Transkei:

"That, having read with interest the report of the deputation sponsored by the Campaign for Right and Justice which waited upon the Minister of Native Affairs and the Minister of Justice recently, we strongly support the recommendations as a whole, and especiallys-1. That a Census of the Native population is urgently required.2. The introduction of compulsory primary education for Native

children in urban areas according to a definite scheme which will realise this aim within a set period of time.

3. The Implementation of the Elliot Commission constructive recommendations instead of concentrating practically exclusively on the recommendation involving the application of penal sanctions viz. rigorous application of section 17 of the Natives (Urban Areas) Act."

LOVSDALE, C.P 13th November, 194-4.

Memo, from the Honorary SecretaryTo Conveners of Study Groups.

I enclose copies of the suggestions for special prayer in preparation for t.ie forthcoming Conference.

It is the strong desire of the Executive that Study Groups themselves should meet specially for prayer on Sunday, June 2dth. May we also ask if you will be good enough to ensure that tne Churches in your town or district shall also receive copies of this pamphlet, so that there may be a great united act of prayeron that day?

We feel, as we are sure you do, that the work of the Groups would be incomplete apart from this fellowship^of intercession and that nothing could do more to ensure the highest success of the Conference itself.

Trusting for your co-operation in this vitally important matter.

EDWARD W. GRANT.Honorary Secretary.

P.O.Lovedale. C.P.

June, 1942

/ biehmial REPORT OF THE CHRISTI/. ifCOUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA. MAY 1947,being the

Report of the Executive Committee to Council for periodMay 194? - May 1947.'

The last published report of the Christian Council began with the words "At the beginning of 1945? in the sixth year of the war, the Christian Council of Scuth 'frica submits a plan of action to the churches of this country." Since those seemingly remote days the world has witnessed tremendous happenings - the end of the war in Europe, the coming of the atomic bomb and the collapse of Japan, the setting up of the United Nations’ Organization, the return of millions of men and women to civilian life, and the endea­vour (so fraught with difficulty and uncertainty) to lay the foundations of a world at peace. Against the background of events .of such magnitude, the work of a body such as the Christian Council of South Africa must seem insignificant.

There is, hov/ever, another view. The events referred to a ove were many of them sudden. Their importance lies rather in what they opened the way,to - the establishment of that harmony, that tranquillity of order which is peace. And it will bear remark­ing again that in relation to the problems confronting the \,7orld at the present time in its quest for peace South Africa may be regarded as a microcosm. For here are concentrated, as South Africa is learning to its cost, the Very issues with which the world at large is grappling.

In circumstances such as these there is a tremendous task for a body representative of Christian opinion throughout the length and oreadth of this land. The Christian Council suffers from the' a sence of the Roman Catholic and Dutch Reformed Churches from its counsels. But even allowing for these exceptions, one could well wish that in South Africa, as, we are informed, is the case in America these days in its Federal Council of the Churches, the Christian Council had the enthusiastic backing of the churches so that those in authority, when the Council spoke, were forced to listen and take heed. That, unfortunately, is not as yet the case dccause (as the British Council of Churches, facing a similpr situation, has expressed it) "the cause of Christian co-operation, which means so much for the future of the Church itself and for the Church's impression on the secular life, is not as yet a pillar of fire to rally and inspire the mass of Christian people, but at best a promising smoulder nursed and fanned by comparatively fe™

But after two devastating wars, "humanity", as General Smuts has put it, "has struck its tents and is on the march," to a newimi^?’4.eveR tjhe road be' beset by dangers and great difficulties.In that movement the Churches of Europe and America, and, to some extent, of the East, have their part. One hopes that the Churches of Fouth Africa will not stand aside.

As has been remarked, the last Report of the Council submitted_to the churches a plan of action. It was described as a plan for immediate action, and a plan for united action. It was, therefore, peculiarly a programme for the Council itself, ,-nd had been evolved from several provincial conferences with this end in mindIt may well be the best way to report upon the Council's work over

2 7%al? examining the progress that has been made in i f 2 v Co'u n c i1 s self-appointed programme. And this must be prefaced by recording that in January 1946'the Executive was

able to carry out the instruction given by the Council to appoint a lull-time Secretary in the person of the Rev* Stanley G. Pitts.LOCAL AUXILIARIES.

It was evident that the Christian Council could not function adequately or claim to express the opinion of the Christian forces of the country merely through a Council consisting of the blectod

representatives/....

representatives of the constituent churches meeting every two years.An organisation was required which included Local Councils in the various centres of the Union, united to one another through the parent body. The Local Councils, in addition to furthering the aims of the Council in their immediate areas would become the means of country-wide consultation, on the one hand, and, on the other, country-wide dissemination of the news of the activities of the Churched in the world at large. And where Church Councils already existed in different centres it was obviously to the mutual advantage of such Councils and of the Christian Council that these should be linked up with the organisation of the Council as Local Christian Councils.

In this aspect of the Council's programme a good beginning has been made, though much remains to be done. Negotiations with the Cape Peninsula Church Council led to that body's finally applying for affiliation to the Council and to-day it functions in Cape Town as the Local Christian Council while retaining its original name and constitution. A similar situation has now developed in Johannesburg and it is to be hoped that the Witwatersrand Church Council will soon also be affiliated to the Christian Council. Durban had had a Local Council for some years, but this had languished to some extent of late. Through the Home Life Campaign held there in 194-6, hov/ever, things sprang to life again, and though the work of the Campaign was carried through mainly by the combined ministers' meeting with the able assistance of certain of the laity, one hopes to see a more closely knit Local Council than at present exists. The same may be recorded of Pretoria, while in East London also the concerted effort called forth in the Campaign has led to the formation of a Local Christian Council. The same is happening in Queenstown.

In many centres, especially the smaller ones, the function of a Local Council is carried out up to a point by the Ministers' Fraternal, which is able to call upon the laity as and when required, and machinery for consultation has been set up by the appointment of consultants in different centres as part of the organization of the Executive's Action Committee centred in Cape Town.

One may say, therefore, in respect of Local Christian Councils, that considerable progress has been made in the last two years in bringing about the affiliation of Church Councils, in the formation of Local Councils, and in the preparation of the ground for this step. But it is a beginning only, and, though progress may be slow, the increasing interest in the work of the Council bids well for the prosecution of this part of the Council's programme.LITERATURE.

The work envisaged for the Council on this head was the provision of literature for the use of study circles and the dissemination of information regarding the Council's work to a wider public. We are happy to report that during 1946 the "Christian Council Quarterly"; the regular bulletin issued by the Council, edited by the Rev. E..W* Grant, was doubled in size, and increased from 1 , 0 0 0 to 1 , 5 0 0 in number for distribution to individuals and organizations. The Quarterly no?; gives news of the Council's activities, of the Ecumenical Movement, and of Christian affairs throughout the world, and offers contributions of one kind or another on Missionary work and racial problems in this country. The question of making a charge for the publication has been considered more than once during the past in view of the Council's need of further financial support, but on each occasion it has been felt that the publicity given to the Council's work through the free distribution of the Quarterly should not be imperilled by any charge made, though donations towards the cost of production are always warmly welcomed„

In the matter of pamphlets, most of the Council's publishing: for the period just closed has been concerned with the Home Life Campaign and in this connection a manifesto setting out the aims of

the Campaign and three different pamphlets dealing with "The Man in the Home", "The Woman and the Home", and "Prayers for Home Life", have been produced as supporting literature for the Campaign, while "A Call to Youth" was also issued by the Education Section.

In addition, as part of its endeavour to make the Council's work more widely known, especially to individual Christians, the Council last year produced a booklet entitled "The Christian Council of South Africa - What it is and What it does", and this has had a wide circulation.

Other publications are being considered at the present time,^for the Council is alive to the need for Christian literature relating to South African affairs, but present financial difficulties constitute a gravely limiting factor in this and other directions.

Under this heading also consideration must be given to the work of the Literature Section of the Council, dealing purely with African vernacular material. The function of this section of the Council's activity is to act as a clearing house for the production of vernacular literature, especially from Mission presses. From his peculiar vantage point at Lovedale Dr. Shepherd has been able to publish regularly, through the South African Outlook, bibliographies of material available in the vernaculars of the Union and thus to indicate the gaps waiting to be filled.

It was this section also that undertook a most useful piece of service in the provision of literature for our Non-European troops, and, as Dr. Shepherd's report indicates, this work, which was continued for those in hospital when the men had returned from active service and had been demobilised, received high praise from those in authority.TRAINING OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP.

This aspect of the Council's programme is primarily the concern of the Youth Section, while at the same time care has to be exercised that the work undertaken does not duplicate what is already being done, and should, be done, by the churches themselves. The sphere particularly open to the Council is that of increasing understanding between the_races, and a most useful beginning was made in the implementation of the programme in an African Youth Leaders' conference arranged by the Convener of the Youth Section, the Rev. D.P. Anderson, at Roodepoort, during the latter part of 194-5". Work camps for the training^of leadership have been held regularly durine the Educational Institution holidays, and these have proved both popular and successful, though there is room for far more readiness to co-operate on the part cf European youth. For some time a special magazine for youth was produced by Mr. Anderson, entitled "New Leadership", but this has had to be discontinued because of the cost.

It cannot be questioned that training for youth leadership in an atmosphere of inter-racial understanding and accord is something that is sorely needed in this country. But it is not easy of attainment m present circumstances. It is here that the relevance of the vision, mentioned first^in the 'Plan of Action', and elaborated by Mr. Anderson in the intervening period, stands out. For regular and effective work

sP^ere the Council needs some permanent centre - a centre that might also serye as a headquarters for the Council - where courses could be held from time to time for European and African youth, and where conferences might regularly be held between youth leaders of all races which would make a worthwhile and solid contribution to procress in inter-racial relationships.

This again means money - and the difficulty of securing it ior such a project is yet another indication of the blindness of so many Christian people to the present crisis in race relationships, and the plight of the Churches which, of all bodies, should be giving a

HOME LIFE/........

HOME LIFE.The urgency of this matter, it will he remembered, led the

last Council meeting to instruct the Executive "to consider as soon as possible the organization of a Campaign on Home Life". The Executive met immediately after the Council meeting, and after consid­ering thoroughly what the organization of su*h a Campaign would entail, felt that it would probably be more than could be undertaken by any part-time Secretary. A sub-committee was appointed, to function should the Acting-Secretary, after investigation, conclude that any worthwhile.plan could be put into effect. The project, however, proved more than could be managed.

The situation was completely changed with the appointment of a full-time Secretary in 1946, a&d the Executive meeting in January of that year was able to consider such a Campaign as a practical policy. An outline of what was intended was drawn up, and this was embodied in a manifesto written by the President, and approved for publication by the Executive. Thereafter, the carrying out of the plan devolved upon the Secretary, assisted by an advisory sub-committee of the Executive.

The main steps in the organization of the Campaign were:-(1) The publishing of the Manifesto, and the circulation of it to all

the Churches and Missions in the country, including all the Dutch Reformed Churches, the Roman Cathclic Church' , and the Jewish Community, seeking their support for a combined effort to stem the tide of divorce and promote Home Life. These initial approaches had often to be followed up by interviews explaining the Campaign in detail. The result was on the whole satisfactory. All the Dutch Reformed Churches ultimately promised their support, with the exception of the Free State, where it was withheld on ground that we encouraged miscegenation. The Roman Catholic Church promised "to play its part", and the Jewish Community (whose organisation required a fresh approach in every centre) also gave their full support.The Secretary addressed the biennial meeting of the National Council of T'Tomen, of whose sympathetic assistance we were assured, and special appeals were directed to the Church Women's Societies.

(2) Stage two was concerned with literature. It was felt that heavy technical pamphlets were not required since such material was already available. What was required was light, easily readable material that would capture the interest of those who were not churchgoers. Great difficulty was experienced in getting this written, but eventually, through the kind offices of Mrs.'Logie, Senator Brookes, and the President, we were able to produce three pamphlets: "The Woman and the Home"; "The Man in the Home"; and "Prayers for Home Life".

(3) Stage three was occupied with local organization. A conference with the sub-ccmmittee in Cape Town had brought the conclusion that one week throughout the country was not practicable, since it was known that a suitable time at one centre was unsuitable in another. It was felt that the Campaign would only be successful, therefore, if it were organised separately in each centre, and for that a visit for the purpose by the Secretary was essential. There were ten centres in mind - Cape Town, Bloemfontein,Kimberley, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, and Grahamstown. Allowing roughly one week in each, and an extra week for Johannesburg, meant, with travelling time, three months on the road. The Executive had considered the possibility of holding the Campaign itself in 1947, and giving up 1946 to organization, but the counsel of those who felt the matter was very urgent and already long delayed prevailed, and August to October had been the time decided upon as the goal for the holding of the Home Life -'Teeks. The earlier organisation had carried us_to April, which meant that with the Secretary travelling until August, the tremendous amount of duplicating

and correspondence had to be carried on by the office in his absence.

(4) The next stages, therefore, overlap. We were fortunate in that Mrs. Wark,' Convener of the Women’s Work Section, was touring the country in another capacity at this time. She was, therefore, able to give invaluable assistance by contacting the Women's Societies in the different centres and appointing liaison officers.

The Secretary began his visits, rather in the dark as to how long it would take in each place to get things going. The plan was to base the local effort, if possible, on an already existing organisation which could command funds - a Church Council or Ministers' Fraternal. Having addressed them and gained their support, it was necessary to interview the Dutch Reformed, Roman Catholic and Jewish ministers, to address further local women's organisations, contact schools, to interview and gain the service of prominent laymen and interview Broadcasting Directors and Newspaper Editors to enlist their support. When the Secretary left a particular centre there was drawn up an 'Action Committee' to which^material for guidance etc. was at once sent from Cape Town, and with which contact was maintained from the office.Beginning with an address to the Cape Peninsula Church Council, who rose to the idea of the Campaign with exemplary enthusiasm, the Secretary covered the centres already enumerated, returning to Cape Town on August the 1st, leaving behind 10 Action Committees in touch with the office,While on the tour literature on the Home Life Weeks held in England which had been sent for arrived, and this was adapted for South Africa where possible, and sent to the office for duplication and circulation* Altogether eight pamphlets were producedi-(1) A Typical Home and Family Week - as a guide to Action Committees. (2j Home and Family Exhibitions(3) Some Unconventional•Ideas for Home and Family Weeks(4) How to Start a Marriage Guidande Council(5) The Home and Family Bookstall - with lists of books in

English. (Booksellers had been approached to order and stockthese.)

(6) Suggestions for Subjects and Speakers(7) A list of Afrikaans books on Home and Family Life(8) Christ and the Family - further material for speakers.

(5) The final stage was concerned with supplying orders for pamphlets once these had been seen through the printers, keeping the different centres informed of what was happening elsewhere to avoid any feeling of a merely isolated effort, answering queries, giving guidance where possible for the follow-up work, and writing articles for the papers and generally keeping the Press informed of developments to afford publicity to the Campaign.

Two other matters should be mentioned. It had been hoped to get Government support, and possibly to get General Smuts to launch the Campaign by a broadcast address. With this end in view the President had very early^on approached the Minister of Social Welfare who had said support might be given if a comprehensive organization were set up. When the organization had been set up, the Secretary interviewed the Prime^Miaister and the Secretary for Social Welfare (the Minister being indisposed). The Prime Minister said, he would be away at the time of the Campaign, but in any case he felt we should keep the Campaign free of political contact. He did not appear to think the Government would be in a position to afford support, since as a matter of moral welfare it was rather the concern of the Churches. As a result the#Campaign was opened in different centres by local broadcasts where possible, the President broadcasting in Cape Town.

The Secretary for Social Welfare felt that much of what we intended, especially in follow-up work, was already being undertaken by various Welfare Services, and that we should avoid overlapping.

The /......

Collection Number: AD1715

SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATIONS (SAIRR), 1892-1974

PUBLISHER: Collection Funder:- Atlantic Philanthropies Foundation

Publisher:- Historical Papers Research Archive

Location:- Johannesburg

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