…the Guardian
believes that the fact that a certain assembly or community is not in a
financial position to defray the expenses of its delegate or delegates does not
constitute sufficient justification for depriving it from its sacred right of
participation in the national elections and other activities of the Convention.
Every assembly, no matter how poor, is entitled to take part in the Convention
proceedings by sending one or more delegates to that meeting. It is absolutely
essential that this principle be clearly understood and faithfully applied by
the friends. Financial considerations can under no circumstances invalidate it,
or allow the least compromise in its application. It is the duty of every
N.S.A. to ensure that it will be carried out whenever the Convention elections
are held.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a message dated
17 November, 1936, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Messages to Australia
and New Zealand’)
