CHURCH AND LABOUR

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1909, Page 7

CHURCH AND LABOUR

MR. FISHER'S HOMILY. IWHY PEOPLE ARE ESTRANGED. THE NEED OF .SOdAfL REFORMS. By Telegrapl).— Press Association.— Copyright. (Received May .12, 10.10 a.m.) j SYDNEY, This Day. The Federal (Premier, JYIr. Fisher, at I ths invitation, of the Presbyterian General Assembly, addressed a large gathering on the subject of "The Church and Labour." The Rev. Mr. Waugh, in opening the discussion, said organised Labour was looking at the Church with curious, sceptical eyes, wondering what the Church was going to do. That there was need of something being done was undeniable. A large number of persons were not getting a living wage. .Mi\ Fisher declared that the question was not political, but social, touching the very roots of civilisation. Instead of being in the lead in dealing with the matter, the Church nad dragged behind, and proved unequal to its first social duty. 'What estranged people from the Church was the fact that they could make more progress by association with a movement which was not of the Church, hut which contained for women and men something making for the welfare of their fellows. -LEFT BEHIND BY THE SOCIAL MOVEMENT. During the last sixteen years, continued Mr. Fisher, Australia had doubled its wealth, but the increase had not gone to the struggling people who were its backbone. If the Church allowed these things it would not progress, but be left behind by the social movement and be ignored. "We are, in a way, civilised," said the speaker, "but we are not really Christians or civilised when we allow honest men to starve." Continuing, the Premier said it would be impertinent to say there what the remedy was, but he clarmeo? the Church's sympathy for those in danger, not only of the pangs of hunger, but of moral danger also. The Church had failed miserably regarding the housing of the poor and their working conditions. ■RINGS AND COMBINES. Vested interests were standing against the lives of our women and children. There were rings and combines on every hand. Some people — High Church— said that these things operate for the good ! of the public. They thought nothing of cornering foodstuffs. It was a degradation to the country, a disgrace to Parliament, and a reflection upon every Church that failed to condemn such practices. These were the honest convictions of his heart. 'He hoped the Church would deal with the question speedily, even if ifc had to call a special session of the 'Assembly. Replying to criticisms of his speech, •Mr. Fi6her said he did not deny that the Church preached the Gospel of "Love your neighbour as yourself," but preaching did not affect the result desired. The Assembly expressed thanks to .Mr. Fisher for his address.