SOCIAL JUSTICE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1937, Page 6

SOCIAL JUSTICE

presentvday problem. , THE NEED FOR STABILITY. I The supreme importance of applying Christian principles in all social, political and economic life and activity was Stressed by three prominent guests ; when speaking at a luncheon in Auck- < laud arranged by.the Crusade .of Social. ; Justice. The speakers were the Gover-nor-General, Viscount Galway, Arch bishop Avorill, and Bishop Liston, an J, A. C. A Hum presided over a large, attendance, which included the deputy-, Mayor, the Hon B. Martin, members, of Parliament, church leaders and bus iness men. • • Archbishop Averili said he saw in, the crusade an honest attempt to .face, one of the most difficult problems of, the world to-day.. While he was not blaming anyone, he.did not think tha + - any Government had really faced the, problem, probably ; because it was so o-reat that none had been able to do so. .. The problem had been brought about, by the natural evolution of scientific progress. - The Machine Age “Wo have arrived at the machine age, but we must bear in mind taat we are only at the beginning of that, age,” the archbishop said., /; ,lt-};vvfiS- fib surd to suggest scrapping the machines, which must be accepted. According to the present social order machines mean , a tremendous displacement of labour and consequently unemployment. ; ; ■ Production in the world was practi ; eally unlimited, hut purchasing power, was totally inadequate, His Grace said He did not think there was any overproduction, but the means of distribution had not been discovered. It was known, however, that millions were in need of what was being lavishly pro duced:

No one could believe that the principle of destroying commodities was a solution to the problem. It seemed a .terrible evil when goods had to be destroyed to keep up prices. On the other hand to reduce production would mean that machines would be stopped, men would be rendered idle and conse quently more instead of less unemployment would be. caused.

The fact that there must be, tremendous stocks of unsold goods touched on the heart of the problem. ; There arose a feverish scramble for markets, with consequent tariffs and protection, and the development o 7 economic sWar between nations. From that trouble naturally arose estrangements between nations. Christianity the Key Where there was unrest some though, that the only way to divert the inindot'. tlm unemployed was to indulge in war, the archbishop continued. “I am certain that the rank and file in every nation does not waift >var,R he added. “But so long as we have this estrange ment due to economic troubles there will be brought about suspicion, fear and jealousy between nations.” The archbishop paid a tribute to the efforts Britain had made in of peace, but even she was in constant danger of war. “We have not yet learned to live as neighbours,” lie said “There must he a way out. We believe Christianity holds the key to the solu tion. Surely it is the porpose of this crusade to advocate the application of Christian principles to this problem.” In urging support of such principles the archbishop said it would be far nobler to make some effort than -to remain inactive until more .revolutionary means were adopted by others who would destroy what those present stood for, goodwill and justice between man and man and nation and nation. Bishop Liston said that while ministers of religion had no specific plans for the conduct of economic and political life they were concerned. that what forms were adopted should be based upon and governed by Christian principles. Religions methods as well as and more than, economic methods were required to bring about social wellbeing. The reconstruction of society which was so urgently needed was jgit possible without Christian spirit and faith. v" Governor-General’s Hope The Governor-General referred to the great changes that had occurred in the past 20 years and to the need for stability in the social and economic world. It was probably the view of the majority that they did not wish the pendulum to swing too far in either direction. “If we adopt that as the basis of our argument,” lie added, “let us see if we can move along with stability as our watchword and tread the firm and straight path.” H.is Excellency said the fact that so many men were killed in the war and that consequently many homes had lacked the influence of a father was possibly the cause of a certain amount of selfishness that some of the younger generation suffered from. There was too much selfishness and not enough fellowship. After stressing the importance of practical Christianity he expressed the hope that progress could be made steadily and in orderly manner without wild experiments and with tile object in view of improving the life of all the people.