CHURCH AND SOCIALISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14188, 11 October 1909, Page 5

CHURCH AND SOCIALISM.

CLASS AGAINST CLASS. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

London, October 8. In the course of the discussion on socialism at the Church Congress Dr. Arthur Shadwell (author of "Industrial Efficiency" and works on the liquor problem) held that there was much in the jumble of ideas labelled " socialism" which appealed to the Christian. He was surprised that many clergymen so readily accepted a theory based on money, the " have-nots" wanting other people's goods. No factor had so little to do with happiness as economic conditions. Socialism fanned cupidity, envy and hatred.

The Rev: Wakefbrd, of Liverpool, considered that socialism was an ally of Christianity. He favoured the nationalisation of land, minerals, and railways. - —

The Bishop of London (Dr. A. F. Winhington-Ingram) declared that he shared the socialists' discontent in things as they are. There was nothing un-Christian in common ownership of land, and the means of production, but more in that direction would make a " jolly mess of it." Socialism set class against class. Drink and ;. gambling were 'the chief causes of misery.

Bishop Welldon said though the first Christians were socialists, it was voluntary socialism. There was nothing inherently wrong in -socialism, but it was materialistic, and appealed to the worst elements in human nature.