CHRISTIAN SOCIALIST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20086, 25 October 1928, Page 16

CHRISTIAN SOCIALIST.

MR. 0. E. BURTON IN EDEN. DREAM OF A VISIONARY. REPENTANCE FOR WAR SERVICE. Wtih deep earnestness, throbbing sincerity, and a fluency that would make many a mind wilt, Mr. 0. E. burton presented his Christian Socialist platform to a small gathering of Eden elcctois in the Dominion Road Methodist Ilall last evening. Probably ho was most intense when declaring the doctrine of pacifism, of which some in the hall were stiong supporters, but the fact that a fonnei comrade in arms seconded the vote of thanks with the smiling remark t' "t Mr. Burton seemed to have got into bad company since the war. and that he was a good Reformer spoiled, indicated that the candidate's fine reputation as a soldier still retains for him the esteem of " Digger " mates, not withstanding his present views. The address was more in the nature of n, lecture on very advanced socialism, which, naturally, must bo contemplated without thoughts of violence, than a political speech, and question time became n sort of debate upon well-worn theological and pacifist themes. Certain it is that no candidate is less concerned with the opinions electors may form of his views, and the reference by the chairman to the educative aspect of Mr, Burton s candidature suggested that tho purpose is more to seize an occasion for airing the views of a small group ot visionaries than to secure a seat in Parliament. In introducing the candidate, the chairman, the Rev. George Jackson, said the religion of tho Man of Nazareth was one having far wider applications than was realised even by those who were its most rirdent advocates. Ho felt that until the religion of Jesus Christ was regarded ns tho only sane and adequate startingpoint for a fuller democracy, religion could not be fully appreciated. Moral Issues o! Politics. Aristotle had first put forward the idea that ethical or moral principles should bo applied to political life, Mr. Burton said. Many peoplo regarded tho only moral issue.* of politics as the liquor, gambling and Bible in-schools questions. 'lllis was n far too narrow view. Housing was just as moral an issue as the abolition of the liquor traffic, owing to the vital importance of living conditions to tho wellbeing of (lie people. "Take tho extraordinary proposal of Sir Joseph Ward to borrow millions," he said. "If the country does so* it will have a reaction in life. It will mean inflation, the bursting of a boom and a tremendous aftermath. , The lilo oi men and women will be rendered wretched. Its results will be worked out m flesh and blood, in human happiness or tho reverse. 'lritis it is a moral question.'* The Rel'oim Party stood for a system under which the control of industry layin the hands of the strong, tho cunning or the violent, under which the spoils went to the strong and woe to the vanquished. As iong as the system remained as it was. unemployment was inevitable and violence would be used to defend economic, interest, as had been illustrated in the South African and opium wars. Behoving as he did that one should lovo one's neighbour as oneself, it was obviously impossible for him to support a party that must necessarily defend tho capitalistic system. For tho same reason he could not support tho United Party It stood for exactly the same things. The only differences were superficial and matters of expediency. Labour Party Dying. The Labour platform was a constructive attempt to mako for a fuller life. Its socialism and co-operation were essentially in accordance with Christian principles, but the rulers of the party required that before one could ho a candidate ho must sign tho whole platform, which was a long and involved document ranging from socialism to the teaching of Esperanto. Two planks he could not subscribe to, one being secular education and the other tho minor matter of teaching Esperanto. He had asked for freedom ot conscience cm these points, but it had been refused. He objected, also, to the demand for a pledge to abide by the decision of caucus. A man could pledge himself to definite things, but he could not give a blind pledge for the future. Just so long fis the Labour Party believed in the verbal inspiration of its platform and demanded a complete acceptance of every plank, it. would bar men of Christian , principles, who would not give a pledgo or promise, they did not mean to keep. Mr. Burton said his own impression was that the Labour Party was dying on its feet, even though it might gain more seats. It might get a majority, but majorities were not everything, and unless it got an influx of "new life it was ultimately doomed. The Labour Parly had progressed thus far under men who believed that they themselves were likely to gain. That in itself was not a. scrap in advance of the Reform Party at the present time. "Out-and-out Pacifist." The candidate proceeded to propound a platform by comparison with which that of the Labour Party is almost a "Tory" document, and one which implied a complete change, of heart in humanity. One heard a good deal of "passionate idealism," and coming to the question of defence he said he was standing as an out-and-out pacifist. He went farther than the Labour Party. Ho would abolish all preparations for war, which was the greatest curse the world had to overcome. Questions first opened a debate on Christian ethics, during which the candidate said lie did not deny that I lie other candidates were Christians, but while not asserting that in some of his reasoning ho might not, be mistaken, lie said lie believed that they had not been logical in translat ing Christian principles iu'.o (heir platforms, As to way. i! was possible for a Christian mistakenly to fiuht, lie believed he had been wrong in gofng to (ho war and fighting, which was a breach of Christian principle for which lie fell, sincere repentance. ADVICE TO Ml*. HOLLAND. COMMENT BY MINISTER. ASSOCIATIONS IN AUSTRALIA. | |>Y TELEfiHArH, —IM'.r.JK A 'iSO'"IA TtOV | WELLINGTON, V.V'!n»-«r1: The Hon. R. A. Wright, Minister of Educattou, opened I .s campaign for Mm Wellington fculmrb* Bw ,t In-1 evening lie traversed the proposals of the (Wrnincuts opponents. Of Sir . Tr . wph Wil! , r ,. loan proposal, he said „. i . „ Zealand"" (1 pli ' RB Ul ° Wnfory Mr. Holland, said Mr , . been sent by his pilH y to't he, Aust.'al an Labour Congress, which admitted C mumsts to aflibat on, and Mr u,ii was appointed a member o| u J' "long with Joe, (td ,/" £ ... itZ'TL HoHund should take a m Mr S,;? ••hid- & itaJl " : " B N " *» gfvAS• '"" y vo " > "