SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16061, 16 October 1912, Page 12

SOCIAL PROBLEMS.

THE CHURCH AND THE LABOUR MOVEMENT. PROPOSED CONFERENCE. At yesterday's sitting of the Christchurch Diocesan Synod the Rev P. Dunnage moved: "That .the Synod, recognising the importance of more fully understanding the causes of the industrial and social unrest, reappoints the committee on social problems elected last year, and suggests the arrangement of one or more conferences between representatives of the Church and of the Labour movement.'' Tho mover said that last year the committee had been appointed, but had not presented a report, partly because the subject was very difficult and intricate, and the reappointment of the committee might lead, to some, definite conclusions. The question was not related to the question "Why do men not go to Church?" That question would be settled by a study of tho spiritual and industrial history of England for tho last one hundred and fifty years. Education in tho last fifty years had raised a higher standard of living, and people were not content with the old standards. A movement should not bo judged by its extremists, but by that more sober body which held to tho true ideals. Tho events of tho Reformation, for instance, were not judged by tho views of extremists. There was a largo class in the community which complained of injustice. They said that tho economic system was wrong, and gavo an undue advantage to a few. Perhaps people might misjudge the movement in that some oi' tho language used was extreme, but it was difficult for a sense of injustice to show itself in any other way than in ; language that might bo interpreted as that of envy and covetousness. The Labour leaders felt that the movement was really ethical, and although the conditions in New Zealand were better than in other countries, partly because it was a new country, still tho 'manual workers by their own efforts had secured most of the benefits which they enjoyed, and which had been grudgingly given to thorn. Tho leaders exacted that the Church should assist in the movement, and for that reason lie had suggested conferences on tho subject. First, there might be a preliminary conference leading up to a larger conference at next Synod, when the matter could be temperately discussed. He believed that tho Labour leaders would welcome such a conference, for the causo they had at heart was a sacred cause, regarded by them as a religious rather than a secular movement. Ho felt strongly that tho whole movement was at the bottom and in its essence a religious movement, and some Labour leaders feared that their cause might be harmed by materialism and they believed that something was needed to avoid such a danger. 0 They felt that the Church should do something to spiritualise the movement, instead of making it an individual and class matter. They had been impressed by the appeal of tho !ato Mr T. E. Taylor to bring religion into their movement and so raise it to a higher level. They did not wish th? clergy to throw themselves into the turmoil of politics, but thoy did look for some guidance, inspiration and holp. The Church had 100 loner shown its indifference to such problems, and its attitude had been one of continued indifference. (A voice: No.) They could but admire the persistence of manual workers through many years in the pursuit of their ideals. and their movement had been gathering in force until to-day it was well-nigh irresistible. If tho Church did nothing to save tho movement from materialism tho historian of the future would find the fact difficult to understand in view of the many opportunities that existed. Something ought to bo done, as Mr Taylor had "said, to bring religion into the movement, and for that purpose a conference would bo a first step. (Applause). Archdeacon Elisor said that he would second the motion with pleasure if Mr Dunnage would modify it. Tho motion restricted the conference to tho workers themselves and made no provision for tho employing class. Ho suggested that the motion should provide merely for conferences possibly during next session of Svnod. Mr S. L. P. Free suggested that the words "labour movement" covered representatives of employer!;, and should not bo confused with " Labour Party." Mr T. W. Rowe moved an amendment to provide for a "representative" conference on tho problems involved. Mr Dunnage agreed to accept tho amendment. The Rev E. Tv. Mules protested against the constitution of the committee, and said that the order of reference last year had been so wide that tho committee had been unable to report. ~ . ~, , Tho debate was adjourned until today. . . ~ The debate was resumed in tno oveninn when Mr Dunnage agreed to appoint an entirely new committee. The Rev H. D. Burton said that ho had been anxious to hear the. report of last year's committee. Tho question was" extremely difficult, and no ooiumitteo could properly be described Church representatives. He did not think a committee was needed, but if every member of the Synod considered the matter carefully a general discussion could take place at the next session. Mr C. Ferricr opposed the motion. .stating that its wording was tainted with politics, and the less the Synod had to do with politics the better. I The matter should be dealt with by a

conference, and not by a committee. Mr Wilfred Hall said that he was strongly of opinion that the question was not ono for tho Synod to deal with. "I consider," he said, "that the Church was established by our Lord to carry on His work to represent Him and follow His example and His teaching." Mr Hall said that tho industrial position reminded him of a parable in tho New Testament. Tho Labour Party was saying to the Church —" Speak to mv brother (the employer) that ho divide the inheritance equitably between us." To the ordinary mind that might be a reasonable representation to make, but Christ had said—"Am I ruler and a judge over you," and had refused to act as an arbitrator or to enter into any temporal matter. "I think," Mr Hall continued, "that He must have had a good reason for that. .1 do not think ho gavo any opinion on social questions of the day. Whenever tho Church has touched politics she has made a mess of politic) and suffered very much herself."

Canon Carrington said that ho did not agree with Mr Hall in supposing that because Christ had declined to arbitrate between two brothers all christian men were not to take any interest in the problems that concerned the christian world. It was a matter of intense and burning importance that all christian men should try to understand tho great economic changes that were taking place. If Churchmen would get together and discuss theso matters with friends of labour they would do an immense amount of good, but tho idea would not bo helped if tho committee were appointed by tho Synod. Individual Churchmen could make individual friends in tho labour party " and talk to them over a pint" m a manner in which both parties would get closer to one another. Tho Rev J. L. Mortimer said that he was quite in agreement with what Mr Dunnage had said, but he did not agree with tho method prescribed. A committeo would do no good. "In New. Zealand," Mr Mortimer added, "the. vast proportion of the population consists of what wo may call organised labour. Wo claim to bo the Church of the country. How many representatives of organised labour aro sitting on this Synod? I heard a suspicion that thero was one. To my mind that is the most deplorable sign of tho condition of our Church that I could possibly imagine. Tho Bishop of Oxford laid it down as an axiom that the health of a Church might be gauged by tho effect and influence it had on tho wage-earn-ing population, and judged bv that standard I think our Church fails most lamentably. (Hear hear). 1 think it is high time some strong effort was niado to get into touch with organised labour. To my mind it is almost a blasphemy to make anv such suggestion that the Church should take no action in tho matter. We. have got to got over this fear of politics. I? they aro base, and one cannot go into them without dirtying one's fingers, then lot us take them in strong hands and make them cleaner, and this can bo done only by tho Church. For myself I will never rest until, strongly as I foel on my own account, I can bring some sort ° e " lfll ' e , nco T to "far on the "whole body ot the Church and bring it into contact community and sympathy with the burning ideals of the great world which is at present outside tho Church." yno motion was rejected on tho voices.