UNEMPLOYMENT

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 7, 8 July 1922, Page 7

UNEMPLOYMENT

DISCUSSED BY SYNOH

FURTHER RELIEF WORKS URGED

CHURCH PEOPLE ASKED TO

CO-OPERATE.

That this Synod views with deep sympathy the present distress caused to many by unemployment, and rejoices to see the efforts which are being made by the Government and the public bodies, and hopes that more may be done in this direction. It also urges on Church members to co-oper-ate as far as possible with all existing 'efforts to relieve such distress. The above motion, proposed by Archdeacon Hansell, was carried by the Anglican Diocesan Synod yesterday after a lengthy discussion on the unemployment question. The subject was introduced by the Rev. T. Feilden Taylor, director of the Diocesan Social Service Board's work, who moved:—"That this Synod views with sympathy the present distress caused to many by unemployment, and urges Church members to co-operate as far as possible with existing efforts to relieve such distress." SYMPATHY OF CHRIST. Speaking to the motion, Mr. Taylor said it did seem to him that the feeding of the 5000 by Our Lord showed the sympathy of the Blessed Master with the physical needs of man. '-T cannot help feeling," he remarked, "that our Master feels the distress which exists at the present moment in this city and throughout the Dominion." Mr. Taylor said he knew that men, women, and children were without food. He knew of a man with a wife and young family who had been out of work for five months at least. During the la* four months he himself had been trying to find work for those out of employment, and there was no.need for proof that unemployment existed. The speaker urged 'first and foremost that the Mayor's Fund for unemployed relief should be supported by Church people. Members of the Synod could urge Church members to offer work to unemployed men—gardening or window-cleaning, or other jobs. The speaker undertook to ifind men for jobs if people asked him to supply them. District workers in the parishes should be asked to report urgent cases of distress, especially cases where food, coal, and firewood were required. There were at least 700 men out of work in Wellington at the present moment, and he believed that the position was also acute in other places in the diocese. He felt that the Church of England could, in some small measure, do something to relieve the distress in this diocese. CHURCH SHOULD GO.. FURTHER. The Rev. B. D. Ashcroft (Tinui) seconded the motion, but thought the Church should go further. He, thought if there was any surplus from the Church's war-time funds that it should be' devoted towards providing recreation and extra accommodation for those employed on relief works, who had no shelter but tents. Mr. R. L. Button (Wellington) said that many employers were "up against it" financially, and had to curtail their staffs and reduce salaries. The Government had had to do the same. The Government should take the matter in hand and get relief works going. The speaker often came across genuine cases of dire distress in the city. He did not think the passing of a motion, such as that proposed, would accomplish much; Synod should express its opinion that the Government and local bodies should take the matter up and start ■works which -would give immediate relief. Many business men—"so-called capitalists."—could do with fewer men, but they continued to employ more than they required, because they did not want to add to the present suffering by dismissing employees. He did not think employers could do much more than what they were already doing. The situation should not be dealt with in a piecemeal fashion. Men were entitled to work, and to enjoy a margin of comfort, and he was perfectly sure that if the Synod and similar bodies approached the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Wellington, something would be done right away.; A GRAND OPPORTUNITY. Mr. H. A. Huggins (Kilbirnie) thought the Government and the City Council were doing their best with the resources at their disposal. (Hear, hear.) But, what a grand opportunity presented itself for the Church to resume her oldtime functions in regard to the poor, who, hundreds of years ago, looked to the Church for help. Did the poor look to the Church to-day? / There was an opportunity for the Church to take a step forward and earn the gratitude., of the unemployed. The building in which Synod, was meeting (Sydney-street schoolroom) had been turned to a useful purpose during the war; could it not be turned to a useful purpose in this time of distress, when they heard there were 700 men out of work. Mr. Huggins suggested that beds should be placed in the schoolroom, and that tho Church should take steps to feed thpse who could not buy food. It could provide bread, and milk for the children, who, under the City Council's new milk scheme, had to go without if their parents were unable to buy coupons. The Rev. K. J. M'Farland (Palmerston North) agreed with the views of Mr.' Button regarding the responsibility of the Government and, local bodies to provide relief works. The 'idea of doling out charity had gone past, and the proper way to meet the unemployment problem was to find work for people so that they could keep their wives and families in a way that was honourable to themselves and satisfactory to their dignity. Mr. M'Farland moved an amendment that all the words aiter "urges" in the motion be struck out, and the following inserted: "The Government and other public bodies to.set up relief works as soon as possible." . Bishop Sprott said he thought there was a great deal in what had been saidi by Messrs. Taylor, and Button, but he thought the wording of the proposed amended motion could be improved. Mr. M'Farland asked that the words of his amendment should be incorporated in the motion, whereupon Mr. G-. Shirtcliffe (Wellington) seponded 'the amendment. V*A "A LAUGHING-STOCK." Mr. W. F. Jacob (Tinui) considered that Synod would make a laughing-stock of itself if, after having been asked to do a certain thing, it "shoved" the matter more or less on to the Government. There was too much of a tendency these days to appeal to the Government for everything. The Government and local bodies" were doing all they could. Synod should not set a bad example to people who wanted to clamour to the Government. 'He moved that the motion should he allowed to retain its original form. Mr. H. A. Nevins (Kiwitea) agreed with Mr.. Jacob. Mr. R. R. Button feared that nothing would be done if the original motion were carried. A NATIONAL. MATTER, Mr. G. Shirtcliffe said he had always endeavoured to preach a doctrine of selfreliance and individuality, antl depr9 . n-Ud.amnj.to the .Gjiv WW ßeat io» every-

thing, but unemployment, was a national matter, and should be dealt with by the ; Government and public bodies. He suggested that the Government and looal bodies, which had started relief works already, should be asked to do something 'further in that direction. They should express some definite opinion as to where the relief should come fi-onr, and record their determination that the Church would do its share in any efforts to relieve distress. "Mr. W. F. Ward (Wellington) pointed to the difficulties; facing the Government, and opposed the Synod going j to the Government, which, along with the City Council, had started relief works. Some men would net go on relief works because they' duiiked leaving the towns, or did not want to accept the wages offered. It would be a distinct slur on the Government and the local bodies to tell them thai, ti .y j were not doing the best they were I capable of. Cases of hardship could be dealt with by the Social V-iifare Committee and the Hospital Board. The burden of such relief fo'.l on the rates, and in that way, church people are doing their best to assist those in distress. If they passed the ruction as originally proposed, it would stir the conscience of i-hurch, people a little more, and urge lhem to contribute n>cre to relief funds. "FAULT OF THE WORKERS." Mr. E. Whitcombe (Pahiatua) spoke of the financial depression being experienced by the country. The depression had been brought on by the whole of the people of New Zealand, almost without exception, gambling and living absurdly. Were there any fanners who had lived through the last two or three years, except on the capital they had saved in the two previous years ? He did not know that there were. He was not going to say that every working man ought to have Bayed enough capital against the "rainy day," but he knews.that the labour unions had been preaching against saving a farthing. The old creed, "Save up for a Rainy Day," had gone forever from this country. It was up to all to help those in distress, but he could not help thinking that a great deal of the present trouble was the fault of the workers. There was no work on the wharf to-day. Why? The reason was that the men of Wellington would not work*on the wharves; they would not load the ships. "They drew their pay, but they didn't load the ships;," said Mr. Whitcombe. After further discussion, Archdeacon Hansell (Lower Hutt) proposed that Synod should accept the following motion : "That this: Synod views with deep sympathy the present distress caused to many by unemployment, and rejoices to see the efforts which are being made by the Government and the public bodies, and hopes that more may be done in this direction. It also urges; on church members to co-operate as far as possible with all existing efforts to relieve such distress."

The Rev. Mr. Taylor accepted this motion in place of that which he had proposed, and it was carried unahimous:ly. Synod decided to forward copies to the Prime Minister and the Mayor of Wellington.

"AFTERNOON TEA STUNT."----"I understand the Mayor is prepared to open immediate relief works, if the public will pay for them," remarked Mr. Taylor. ... "I urge ohurch members to get rid of the morning and afternoon tea stunt, and give their money to the unemployed." He also urged that church people should contribute towards: vicars' poor funds, so that vicars might Telieve cases of distress which they came across.