Salvation Army Members Disagree On 'gay’ Bill (Press, 19 August 1985)

Concerns have arisen within the Salvation Army regarding its leadership's handling of the homosexual law reform issue in New Zealand, as expressed by members in Wellington and Auckland. On 19 August 1985, it was reported that some lay members felt dissatisfied with the leadership's opposition to the legislation and had begun circulating an internal petition to voice their concerns on the matter. A group of members even submitted a different position to the Parliament’s Statutes Revision Committee, supporting the bill in its current form. The magazine “Battlepoint,” catering to the Salvation Army's student fellowship, published an editorial criticising the leadership for not adequately considering members' opinions or allowing them a voice in significant issues. Clive Luscombe, an Auckland lay member, expressed frustration that the leadership had unilaterally chosen to conduct a national campaign against the bill without consulting the congregation. He reported that although the petition was small in numbers, many members were worried about the lack of inclusive discussions. Some individuals, hesitant to sign the petition, indicated they would prefer to directly contact the Salvation Army’s headquarters to express their concerns. Among those who supported the bill were Professor Max Cresswell, a Victoria University lecturer, and eight other officers and lay members who submitted their support to Parliament. Cresswell stated that he believed the Salvation Army unnecessarily opposed the bill and felt many members were reconsidering their stance as a result. Activists Margaret and Brian Thompson commented on the rights of church members being undermined by the leadership's lack of consultation, and they contacted both the New Zealand headquarters and the international leadership in London to express their objections to the decision made against the anti-homosexual law reform bill. They indicated that they had received supportive communication from Commissioner Cairns, who oversees the army’s operations in the South-East Asia and Pacific region. In response to the criticisms, Major Rodney Knight, the Salvation Army’s public relations secretary, defended the decision-making process by asserting that the organisation’s governance is autocratic and that there is a pre-existing international position on homosexuality that guides their stance. He stated that the discussion surrounding the law reform was not within the purview of individual members, as it ties back to the overarching principles the organisation promotes. Knight conveyed regret that many Salvationists were unaware of the content of the Salvation Army’s submission to Parliament, which could not be disclosed until it had been presented to the select committee for consideration.

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