THE CHURCH AND ART UNIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 6

THE CHURCH AND ART UNIONS.

Doubtless the public mind is disturbed at the shameful and paradoxical position of certain Churches on one hand condemning art unions, -while on the other hand permitting like things within their very doors. However, it is not upon parsons and religion that ire rely solely for standards of rights and wrongs, but we should seek to discover the mind, the attitude of Christ Himself, the voice of Scripture. The "end justifies the means" theory will not stand Scripture scrutiny, not even if that end means aiding poor children. We have the amazing spectacle of a land'foodglutted, and yet according to Dr. Barraclough and others who should know, malnutrition is widely prevalent among children in poverty. And, more amazing still, the Government tinkering with immense need with a few hundred pounds from lotteries. Why isn't the problem dealt with seriously and properly? Most wrongful passions have; their roots in rightful instincts, which only become perverted for lack of self-control and understanding. So it is with the gambling mania. The gambler often stands to lose all, even if it is only half a crown, and lias, his gains in the accumulated losses and miseries of others. What of men allowing this instinct to run its right course? Columbus across the Atlantic, Livingstone into Central Africa —heroes of science, of radium investigation; an English doctor isolated in India's swamps, dissecting his thousandth mosquito's stomach, in combating th» malaria scourge? These men bid high, staked all, sweated and toiled, and the gain is mighty blessing to all. So in lesser degree the same instinct enters into everyday life. "No venture, no gain," we say. I' means the application of faith plus toil, and one's gain •is the fruit of one's labour, not that sitting back, awaiting the turn of the lottery wheel, or a peculiar twist of figures at the stock exchange. If people are so desirous of helping the many worthy objects, their donations would be thankfully received, hut it is doubtful whether permits could be obtained for so many street collections. Art unions can't remedy our problems; they are only adding to and aggravating them. -I*' Christian people stand firm against this new insidious gamble taxation, which is eating UK® a canker into our human fabric at the present time. CHRISTIAN.