THE CHURCH AND THE STRIKE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18058, 28 April 1924, Page 9

THE CHURCH AND THE STRIKE.

REFERENCES IN THE CATHEDRAL.

The following has been, supplied to

At the Cathedral last night after the ordinary evensong of the Church had been sung, a regular sermon was dispensed with and the preacher instead of going into the pulpit went down amongst the congregation, and standing in their midst, called upon them to Rive their full attention to the- difficulties of the present situation in the following words:—To the end that the minds of all who at this time of stress and difficulty hold the trust of powei may be filled by a consciousness that whether chey be members of the Government or leaders among tie people they are ministers of God in their several vocations to uphold what is righteous and just, let us make solemn-ack-nowledgment! of the authority of tho Most High in the ordering of. our national "life, humbly recognising the dignity wherewith Almighty God has invested man as the instrument of His will and tho upholder of His laws. And let us beseech Almighty God that tho course of our present controversies may be peacefully and righteously, ordered for the well-being of His people and tho glory of His naitie. And let Us offer up our humble supplications to our Heavenly Father that His children in New Zealand~"may forsake tho love of class which keeps them from loving one another and that thereby coming in friendship together they may find the overpowering love, of "God which shall unit them in one common brotherhood.

Then, led by\ the preacher, tJije big congregation gavo itself to prayer. After thanksgiving had been given for the devoted lives of the founders of tho province and for the rulers who have made New Zealand prosperous and free, supplication was made for the gifts of insight and vision, courage ai«J patience, wisdom and clearness of thought, to deal with the present emergency. Another petition asked that many might he found willing to spend themselves in disinterested service and tSiat so effect might be given to God's pur. pose for His people in this Dominion. Those were also remembered who ure endeavouring to create a true fellowship in industry and trade. Then followed a prayer asking that the Mayor and Councillors with the magistrates and all who share in the ordering of this city might be endued* with intelligence and sympathy, imagination and daring to vindicate their high calling and to demonstrate t(he workings of God's holy wfll. A petition that all classes of the community might be united by mutual service," ended with a special supplication for those "who at this time keep house and have the care of little ones.*' A final eupolica-tic-n asking that the Church might be aflame with the fire of her first charity showed that the preacher realised that tho Church has a responsibility; at the present time which she has no wish to shun. COAL IN DUNEDIN. RATIONING THE SUPPLY. (MESS ASSOCIATION TILBOBAM.) - .DUNEDIN, April 27. " The;usual household grades of coal are in keen demand and merchants, fearing attempts at hoarding, are regulating the output from their yards, only a bag or two at a time being doled out. This must not be taken as an indication that merchants fear a long drawn out struggle, but is merely a precautionary measure, and one which will not bear hardly on anyone, but will rather tend to place everyone on an equal footing.

A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESOLUTION. (PBESS ASSOCIATION TXLBGBAJt.) DUNEDIN, April 26. While much mail matter is proceeding by motor, the Department is using steamers when Available. The Navua took a large mail this afternoon for Canterbury, the West Coast and-the North Island. • The Council of the Chamber of Commerce passed' a resolution: "That while not presuming to express an opinion on the merits of the claims of the AiS.R.S., this- meeting strongly deprecates the Society's action in calling a strike and penalising all sections of the community, when the matter in dispute ought 'to.' have been settled by arbitration. The meeting support* the Government in resisting coercion by the means adopted." A LIBERAL ASSOCIATION RESOLUTION. (FBESS ASSOCIATION TELEOBAM.) OAMARU, April 26. The Oamaru executive of the Liberal Association has sent the following message to Mr Massey:—"The executive of the Oamaru Liberal Association asks vou this: Is it. not deplorable on Anzac Day to see men, who fought on Anzac, on strike for the conditions which you promised them ? You promised to give them not only a fair deal, but also to bo liberal with them. Do you call' a basic wage" of £3 19s lOd, less superannuation, your idea of- liberality and adequate fulfilment of your promises? Kindly reply in time for the public meeting on Tuesday night. —F. Butterfield, Honorary Secretary, Liberal Association, Oamaru."

L.R.C.'S MOTION OF PROTEST.

The following motion was passed at the meeting of. the Canterbury Labour Representation Committee on Saturday evening:—"That the Canterbury Labour Representation Committee protests against the decision of Mr Massey and his Executive in forcing a crisis on this country and "refusing to call Parliament together to discuss the Railway Service deadlock, and states that it is high time the voice of the people, through their representatives in Parliament, should be taken into account in the management of the Civil Servfce."

A copy of this resolution has been forwarded to Mr. Massey.. ~~