Auckland Activities

Maoriland Worker, Volume 5, Issue 178, 1 July 1914, Page 2

Auckland Activities

By SKIBO. -'. ~ A few days ago. an. English parson; R.ev. J. D. Jones; visiting Auckland,' inspired hi> congregation With enthti-' sioein. From little bits of conversation heard, and press cotiiments read, one can see that the members of his'church are considerably swollen with pride and ■importance. The preacher proclaimed from the pulpit that tbe Congregational Church ha. a special opportunity for training the democracy in religious things. ''No one could view'the trend of events in the industrial world, and mark the great development .'of the Labour movement during the past 20. years, without recognising the need there was for training in religious things by the democracy, and," continued the speaker, "the political power of the Labour Party was absolute if only the Labour Party succeeded in creating a class consciousness." Does it hot strike the visiting divine that it is that selfsame class consciousness that tells"the thinking worker be •s not wanted by tbe churches; for so =oon as a worker commences to exert his political power, the churches grow cold towards him The rev. gentleman next told the gathering that lie once heard Will Crooks say to a number of divines that ho had a Latin quotation for Mr. Balfour. It was, "Vox Populi, vox Dei!"

Crooks (like Mr. ■). T>. .Tones) is Very fond of Latin.quotations to throw dust into the eyes of the public, that fat billets and luxurious positions may be'prolonged' yet a 'little'longer. ' I ':. When- the 'working class organise- ■ t'ibiis-establish the Social Common-j wealth, the democracy will sweep away the churches and nil such hypocritical institutions. Then democracy will shout, Vox populi, Vox Dei (Tho will! of-the-.people-is the will of God!) \ The writer visited' Wi'o pii-lnte' slioW on George of -"England's birthday. 'Everyone, was much' surprised'to' see a j ■bumptious' 1 fellow-who* rGS^tnbledv ; Air. j Bivnible" of Oliver Twist fame-Pmourit to the platform and request the audience to rise nnd sing the National Anthem! There was a mixed response, a large- number of people remaining seated. Tho' singing—well 'twos Uko n Quaker meeting minus tlie spirit. Almost before the chant was concluded the lights wore switched off and the : band struck' up a lively air. This saved !i'iie-'s'it'uatidn, no\doubt, but at lialf- j time 'there Svak some pretty 'straight talk:- "We didn't come to sing jingoism; we came, to see the pictures," Hvas tlie r general comment. Perhaps the management will think .twice/before they spring such a cool request upon their patrons again. Al{ kinds of. dodges' are resort'ecl to'"by ' t'h6 ftilirig classes and their hirelings how. 'What is Patriotism—but the moral upholder of the capitalist system? It serves a3 a pretext for tho keeping up of forniidable' permanent forces w*hich hr'e the material npholder-t'he last' hope-of' fhe privileged classes.' What is of greater, importance to the democracy is the fact that the workers are now beginning to see the -folly of it all, and desire another,' brighter and better form of life and liberty.