CHURCH AND ECONOMICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 October 1933, Page 7

CHURCH AND ECONOMICS

AUCKLAND SYNOD’S DEBATE

“FEARLESS” ACTION URGED

[PEG PGESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, October II

The Anglican Synod had a spirited debate on a motion introduced by Rev. W. W. Averill, calling for “fearless and immediate action on the part of those in authority, with a view to relieving' the intolerable conditions under which a. large section of the community is at present existing. The motion went on to affirm that the policy of destroying or curtailing the fruits of industry was a crime against. God and humanity. The true solution lay in a more efficient system of distribution, and that the root cause of the present obvious maldistribution of Gods ’gifts was the obsolete money system. Mr Averill said the subject needed more than a pious resolution. Over 78,000 unemployed were receiving an inadequate pittance. The scale of relief pay might be justified as a temporary expedient, but despite the prophesies of improvement, and hot air about rising prices, unemployment continued to increase. Poverty, to-day, was absolutely man-made. In his opinion, it was blasphemy for them to thank God for His gifts, and at the same time allow men to withhold these gifts. The recurrence of unemployment was bringing about a return of sweated labour. The Church must face the. whole question fearlessly. They would fail in their duty if they kept, silent for fear of a. little ridicule pr the displeasure of a few wealthy ones in the community. If the Church stood by and left it for some other section of the community to attempt a reform by revolution, then the Church would merit the fate which overtook the Church in Russia.

The motion xyas opposed by Mr T. N. Smallwood, who said the problem was puzzling the best brains in the world. Any monetary system which tended to lower individual effort and incentive must harm the character of the nation. The banks had been the subject of much criticism, but it must be remembered that the banks’ first duty was to their depositors, including the people who had saved by selfdenial. He thought the motion as framed would make the Synod look ridiculous.

In reply to Rev. H. K. Archdall, Mr Averill denied any intention of committing the Synod to the Douglas Credit system.

Two lay members attempted to delete all but the first part of the motion, saying the Synod was not the right place to discuss an economic subject. Rev. A. J. Greenwood strongly supported the motion, urging all to speak their minds and not shelve the question.

The discussion will be resumed, after the week-end.