THE CHURCHES AND SOCIAL CREDIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 6

THE CHURCHES AND SOCIAL CREDIT.

With all due respect to "An Old Evangelical" writing in your issue of August 29, this writer feels that an insufficient grasp of the humanitarianism embodied in the Douglas proposals has been acquired by that writer, however genuine he may bo in his attitude. The Creator has endowed this globe munificently with plenteousness. Through the operation of His laws of the universe we have evolved to a state of civilisation under which it would' be possible for all to live in peace and happiness—the underfed and ill-nOurished millions of the backward nations could be nourished by us more fortunate countries enjoying production far beyond our needs. Production, on the other hand, is only possible at the behest of Nature, which is the Divine gift. Whether the production I refer to be commodities or services, they are given us for our use and edification, and, like the talents of the parable, they are a trust, the result of which we must be prepared to account for. Hence it is just as much the work of the Church to assist man to emancipate a world stricken with lack of co-operation as to the means by which it may best use its talents, as it is to urge him forth to convert all unbelievers. Suppose Douglas Credit were not the ideal remedy, though no one appears to have put forward a better one, is it not the natural thing that the Church, through its clergy and laity, should come into the movement to investigate, to make suggestions, and, if possible, put forward a more ideal plan? Again, would it not be Christian-like to commence the operation of such as the Douglas movement and trust to the goodness of Providence to enable man to guide it upward to perfection? Stephenson's "Skyrocket" was a poor apology for the locomotive of 1933, but it was not refused its chance. No! Let us give credit to the Dean of Canterbury and manv other ecclesiastics for leaving the cloister for the nonce and taking up the cudgels on behalf of mankind. Improve a man's environment and you help to raise the tone of his outlook. ' R. G-ROSE.