POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1943, Page 4

POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION

ROMAN CATHOLIC PROPOSALS.

(N.Z.I’.A. Special Australian Correspondent)

(Rec. 10.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 17. Australian churches are planning to form a united front on post-war reconstruction. Discussions are taking place between Church representatives on the basic Christian principles of the post-war reconstruction programme. It is hoped that the joint recommendations may be subjected to the Federal Government. Throughout Australia, yesterday, Roman Catholic churches celebrated “Social Justice Sunday.” Addresses were given on the “pattern for peace” post-war programme of social reconstructions, formally approved by the Church, ancUalready placed before the Federal Government. The programme deals with population, reorganisation of industry, and rural life, organisation of the credit structure, and education reform'. The main points include: Economic security for large families through payment of a graduated family wage and ownership of the family home. Vigorous housing policy adapted to meet family needs. Stabilisation of agriculture. Education reform to encourage a new outlook towards large families, togethei’ with encouragement of migration from countries with a high birth rate. Special measures for public control of monopolies, and regylation of big business to curb the power derived from immense financial resources. Formation of industrial councils as an instrument lor control and regulation of industry, such councils comprising workers’ and employers’ representatives, to have among the objects the preservation of a class of small owners in industries which they control

Special measures dealing with the problem of women in employment include: Equal wages for the same work as men. Women to be prohibited in heavy industries. Award for domestic servants. Education of public opinion in the Christian dignity of home employment. Compulsory inclusion of domestic science in all schools. -