LABOUR AND THE CHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25282, 6 September 1947, Page 2

LABOUR AND THE CHURCH

MOVEMENT LOSES CONTACT “The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND September 5. “The Labour movement originated in the Church, which inspired and supplied many of its leaders, and has the same ideals, yet that largb and virile body has lost contact with ■ the Church,” said Mr G. A. Amundsen, of Wanganui, in an address he prepared for the Dominion conference of tho Church of England Men’s Society. The paper was read by Mr A. Andrews, of Wanganui, in the absence of the author. Saying that he did not want his reference to the Labour movement to be confused with the political Labour Party, Mr Amundsen said there was no hostility yet toward the Church by the Labour movement, but a belief that the members could- manage without the Church. In a> few instances they were suspicion.' that the Church was prejudiced in favour of those whose sympathies did not lie with the movement. To overcome that was one of the most urgent needs of the times, he said. “It is my firm conviction that most of our present clergy are not fitted for the job, even if they had to tackle it,” said Mr Amundsen, referring to the work which had to be done among the Labour movement. “That is not a reflection on the clergy. They are out of touch with the people concerned and their point of view on most things.”