ADVICE OF CLERGY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 11

ADVICE OF CLERGY

MR. ROOSEVELT'S QUEST IDEAS ON GOVERNMENT (Received September 26, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Sept. 25 An interesting and unusual step, which unquestionably had considerable political significance, was taken by President Roosevelt, who wrote to all the clergymen in the country asking for their counsel and advice, saying: "Tell me where you feel our Government can better serve our people." Tho letters, which were despatched ■without a previous announcement, have caused a sensation and prompted journalists at their regular conference with the President, on the eve of his departure on a speaking tour in the West, to bombard him with questions as to his meaning. The only explanation Mr. Roosevelt gave was that he wanted the views of persons not in thft Government's service.

Replies are beginning to pour in. They are as diverse as traditional political and economic differences can make them. The opinions expvessed are .only occasionally indicative that they come from men of tho cloth. One Rabbi asks for "loyalty to the Constitution." A New England minister complains that the President does not take sufficient interest in New England's textile industry. Several writers are extremely critical of Mr. Roosevelt's social security and works programmes, and many frankly declare they are incompetent to give him advice on economic matters. The Lutheran croup lays stress on the "misery and misfortune of our materialistic age" and says: "Ihe billions of dollars of Government expenditure only emphasise the lovelessuess and selfishness of the age which have made it necessary." - , '