CHURCH AND LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 53, 3 March 1919, Page 9

CHURCH AND LABOUR.

METHODIST DISCUSSION. INTRODUCING BOLSHEVISM. CHRISTOHUROTI, Saturday. At the Methodist Church Conference to-day, Mr. W. D. Bayley referred to certain remarks made by the president of the conference, the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, in his inaugural address, in which he expressed the omnion that the workers should not strike. Mr. Bavley said it was not fair for the church to take up that attitude. It was very like the attitude of the Moderate League, which struck f>9 times at prohibitiou for once at tile Trade. The Church might have the right to say that the working men should not strike, but it would also say to the profiteers that they should not exploit the people. Mr. BeUhouse in reply said his remarks had been sympathetic to Labour. Mr. Bavley went on to say that there was a statement made by Mr. Bellhouse in his address with regard to Bolshevism. He had said they did not want Bolshevism in New Zealand. Mr. Bellhouse referred to the articles written by Dr. Howard Williams, a native of Christrhurch, who was regarded as one of the greatest authorities on Russian affairs to-day. Dr. Williams had ascribed all sorts of atrocities to the 80-lsheviks. Mr. Bavley said they did not know the troth about Bolshevism. Mr. Bellhouse said lie did not wish to be unfair to Mr. Bavley, but he understood that Mr. Bayley was to address the conference on the subject of. prohU hibition. and it seemed as if he had taken advantage of this to introduce the other matter. Mr. Bellhouse put the question to the conference, which was unanimously of the opinion that Mr. Bayley should continue his address on the same lines. Continuing-, Mr. Bayley asserted that in the past the Church had been against revolutionary movements for the benefit of the people. "When is the Church going to follow her Lord and Master, and take care of the workingman?" he asked. In thanking Mr. Bayley for bis address, Mr. Bellhou?e * said that the Methodist Church of New Zealand was in full sympathy with the legitimate rights of Labour.