"UNJUST SOCIAL CONDITIONS"

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21577, 13 September 1935, Page 4

"UNJUST SOCIAL CONDITIONS"

RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT • ■ ■' 'AUCKLAND BISHOP FI*CHBTT»& VIEWS lips PSESS Special Seirice.] DUNEDIN, September 12. \ 'in matters political the Archbishop cannot speak for the Church, bUt merely for himself as a citizen," eaid Bishop Fitchett; when his views were sought on the statements made ft a meeting in Auckland organised by a group of clergy and described as •*a united protest against Unjust and up T Chrlst?an soeial "conditions.

"Naturally, all" responsible people. 4re of opinion that it |s desirable thai alj should have an opportunity of wording, and of parting a just reWayd for their labours, and also that' returned; .soldiers should be treated not. only with jqstice but with generosity?' said Bishop Fitchett. "the trouble is to devjse a means of securing that these most desirable ends are attained. In .dealing with the abnormal conditions arising from the depressionah governments have had to make experiments, and have certainly made mistakes. I do not feel myself competent to express any opinion whether Our own Government has been more successful or less successful than other, governments, but so far as one can judge, oresent conditions in New Zea.landf are not worse than those in many other countries, and are better than those in sopie other countries. "What I am prepared to say is that the easiest form of criticism is destructive criticism, and it is also somewhat valueless. Resounding condemnation of those who have the responsi-; bility of trying to solve our present day problems will not in itself solve the problems, and the meetijig in Auckland apes not seem to have been able to suggest any constructive measures for bringing about What is desired by all right-minded people."

REMARKS RESENTED

PROTEST IN THE HOUSE

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.J

WELLINGTON, September 12. Protests against the remarks made by the Minister for Employemnt (the Hon. S. G. Smith) in reference to the clergy who attended the recent meeting in the Auckland Town Hall Were brought forward by Mr H. G. R. Mason (Lab., Auckland Suburbs) in, the House of Representatives to-day. Mr Mason said that {he opinion expressed by the Minister that the clergy had been trapped by political campaigners had aroused the greatest indignation. One tniriister had telegraphed Mr M. J. Savage (leader of the Opposition) repudiating the suggestion. Mr Mason wondered why such an allegation had been made against men Who felt impelled by the shocking condition of affairs in the cities to attend a meeting to voice their protest. "I do no more, at present," added Mr Mason, "than to record the protest of the clergy against the unwarranted statement of the Minister for Education and for Employment"