The Church' and Labour.

Inangahua Times, 13 May 1909, Page 2

The Church' and Labour.

Scepticism o: Labour. A Premier's Indictment. (By Electric Telegrapb.) Press Association—Copyright, j London, May 12 5 Mr Fiihtt in his address to the 1 Presbyterian Minister declared thai I ihe question was not political but a l social one touching the vtry loots ol | civilisation. Instead of being a leade' I in dealing with the matter, the Church I had dragged behind and had proved | unequal to its social duty. What es~| tranged the people from the Church * wis t'ie fact that it could make more progress by association with a move-' ment which was not chuich but con- ( tains for women and men something mak'ng for the welfare of their fellows. Mr Fisher continuing, said that duiing the last 16 years, Australia has doubled in wealth but the ircrca c e had not gene to the struggling people who were the backbone. If the Church allowed these flings, it would not progress but left behind in the social moverr.eu and be ignored, "We are in a way civilized." but we are not n ally Christians. Are we civiliz d when we allow honest men to starve ? It would be impeitinen to say where what the remedy was, but he claimed the Churches sympathy for those. The danger was not only in the- pangs of hunger, but there was a moral danger, Tht Church had also failed miserably regarding the housing cf the poor and the woiking conditions. Vested in'.erests w t re standing "against the lives of our women and children, Therfc wei-e rings and combines on ievery hand. Some people in the* high Church told the people tint these, things would operate for the good of the public but the/ thought nothing i of covering food j stuff"!. It was a dearadition to Hie couutry, a disgrace to Parliament and a reflection upon every Church that failed to condemn ■ it. 1 Mr Fisher added that these were 1 the hor.eu convictions of his heart, he hoptd that the Church would deal with the question speedily, even if ; it had to a special session of the . Assembly, ! In replying to the ciiticisms of his speech, Mr Fisher said he did not | deny that the Church preached the Gospel of "Love your neighbour as : yourself was ihe ; best preaching but did rfot effect the result desired, The Assembly expressed lis thank; 1 to Mr Fisher.