THE CHURCH AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21714, 22 February 1936, Page 3

THE CHURCH AND UNEMPLOYMENT

DETAILED PROPOSALS OPPOSED :

VIEWS \ QF. METHOPIST

CONFERENCE ;

Strong criticism .was expressed of the adoption of .detailed proposals for the application of, the principles of the-Methodist .Church on unemployment at the . conference yesterday afternoon: Many members were of the opinion that it was inadvisable for the church, to make definite, suggestions for national policy, on the subject, as these suggestions might cause division among members of the churcn. It .was'finally decided that, in view 01 the change of administration and policy' concerning unemployment, the recommendations of the public questions committee should be referred back to the committee, which should report to conference through the district synods.'. ' j The ' committee's recommendations stated that man had been- placed in the world to live and that work was secondary to living, that men ana women had a duty to serve society and the right to be provided for by society, that the discoveries of science had made it unnecessary for employable persons to' work so long as at present, and that rationalisation of production and industry must be planned., Detailed. Proposals

It was proposed in detail that the following measures should be immediately adopted: Prohibition of remunerative employment to men over 65 and women over 60; granting of pensions to men of 60 and women of 53 and over: raising of school leaving age to 16: establishment of a live-day week: a national scheme for housing; distribution of normal requirements of food and clothing under semi-state boards: free meals for school children; and abolition of relief work. Proposals for permanent adoption were: Control of credit and the monetary system under a national board; provision of adequate means of exchange, national superannuation and unemployment payments; establishment of a national housing board; adjustment by direct taxation of the annual income of the nation till all have a reasonable standard of living; provision of training centres for employment for people of all ages. Speaking for the proposals on behalf of the committee, the Rev. J. Richards said that they had been drawn up before the last change of Government, and it was possible that they would be in accordance with the policy of the new Government. Nevertheless, they should be adopted by conference. Mr J. M. Thompson took exception to the statement, that man was placed in the world "to live"; he was here to manifest the glory o* God, and this he did by working on the betterment of those who came after him. The Rev. C. B. Jordan said that the proposal was liable to be misunderstood. But Christian living was the chief aim, and economic work was secondary. The church was going beyond its function by going into details where there were so many opinions. There were many different viewpoints in the church, said Mr H. R. French. Some thought that the church should hot touch social problems, but they, fortunately, were few. Among the Labour party the church had created the impression that she was alive to these problems, but she should not go into details in such a way as to bring about a conflict of opinion. As chairman of the retailers' association he wouM not think of bringing up questibns such as monetary reform and: prohibition which would be outside the essential interests of the as<sociation, and wculd, through difference of opinion, destroy its fuhdatneh" tal unity. It was the same in the church. Knowledge of Conditions "The church," said Mr Tnompson, "should advocate improvement, but it has not many men who know what the consequences of the applications of the details 'would' be. This is beyond their knowledge, and they know little of conditions in other parts of the world." He instanced the proppsal for a five-day week as one which could not be stated for certain to be practicable. The Rev. E. S. Emmett said that he hoped the proposals, which were open for criticism, would be referred back to the committee. ;Mr D. C. Cameron said that the church should adopt only principles and not detailed proposals. A member: At every conference we have had detailed proposals and they have, not been adopted. I hope this will be the last time we have them. Mr French then read his amendment to the adoption of the proposals, that they should be referred back to the committee.

"If we stop at the enunciation of principles," said the Rev. H. Ryan, "nobody takes any notice. We should proceed to application. But these matters need more consideration and they are at present under review by the Government. I support the amendment that they be referred back to the committee." The Rev. A. C. A. Sexton said, that the conference had lost too many of its members at that stage to give the matter full consideration. But the church should get down to tin-tacks. If it began to tread on people's toes it would know that it was doing good. The public looked to the 'church to give a lead in these matters, and people needed definite concrete examples, even though the proposals might never be made law in the form they were suggested. The church aimed to affect

people by change of heart, but there were many men whose hearts were not moved and who had to be compelled by law to do certain things. In reply, Mr Richards said that the proposals were not revolutionary and it was not being attempted to urge them on the. Government. If they were referred back to the committee they would be.behind the times at the end of 12 months. Tne amendment to refer the proposals back to the" committee was then put to the vote and carried.. . , .