WOWSER AND WORKER

NZ Truth, Issue 473, 11 July 1914, Page 6

WOWSER AND WORKER

Philosopher and the Parson Fall In and Fall Ont. Some Strange Speakers and Scenes. (From "Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) Parson R. s. Gray, believes strongly m the dictum of Father Vaughan, that the churches should advertise. Parsod Gray did not advertise m the usual manner, but merely induced some Labor men to hold a "debate" m his Hanoverian Hostel. The peculiar parson is President of the Council of Churches, m which capacity he presided last Friday m his* curious sectarian concern the beautiful' Baptistry. That the debate, "The Church and the Labor Movement," and the previous confabs that have taken place there anent the baker's .blanky picnic, are mere, advertising subterfuges there is little doubt The man m the street knows the relationship of the church and labor, and so does adroit Parson Gray. "Their relationship is nil. The churches, have, got the golden egg, and Labor has given them long since the duck. But did^the Trades and Labor Council and the Democrats go into the debate seriously? The puny divided camp of Labor were genuinely out for the debate, 'of that "Truth" is convinced, but tho parsons,- the leading lawyers, and the wailing old women who contribute their following, were secretly out, to force the hand of the Socialistic crowd. Particularly on the liquor question, and by adroit by-ways and round about/methods to secure their support m the nefarious wowser campaign and at the" elections. The j Dem/rats know too well how the churches reckon them \}p and. what particle , OF SINCERE LABOR SYMPATHY realty abides m*> the watery anatomies of Messrs. Gray, Adams, Saunders, Wallace, Bedford and the rest. Labor is fully aware that once the wowsers and the deluded credulous old wdmen attain their ends, it will be to 'ell or Timbuctoo with Labor and all it means; "The churches may desire" "a useful rapprochement with Labor," said a Dunedin Socialist to "Truth," "But' what rapprochement can pqssibly take * place when the churches are spurned, and besides are wavering perpetually , among themselves." *■■)-■..:.■ Last Friday, however. Parson Gray, R. Breen, Parson Saunders, W. Ei Maguire, and. various Socialists took "the platform sarcastically and carried on the "debate." ,, For once, Philosopher Maguire floored ail round him. and told the naked truth. The truth was launched boldly at tho cowering parsons, anil the latter cunning curiosities blazed up m indignation and Parson Gray lost his, temper and became uccriminous., Pandemonium reigned and every old woman and woe-begono parson m the crowd gaped and howled at the "philosopher." Mr. R. Breen, of the new-fangled Labor Council, -opened* the "debate" m a creepy, cringing fashion. There was a very close relationship between tho Church and Labor, and brainy Breen felt convinced that the Church was, absolutely necessary. •' Brainy Breen waa succeeded by Parson Saunders, whose output was of THE<USUAL PARSONIOAL PIFFLE. Philosopher Maguire came next, and it does not matter what "Truth" may think of him, "Truth" exists to spread the "Truth." Tho Philosopher made, the sensation of the evening. He threw the old women into hysterics, .the parsons into wild rage, and tho leering lawyers into sickly dismay. When he concluded, the Maguire, himself, flew into a towering rage that threatened seriously to overflow r tho dingy Baptist concern and everything and everyone were m a Bad state of commotion, or In the healthy state of convulsive laughter. The lengthened dials of the woe-begono parsons wero graphically tragic and evoked prolonged laughter from the major portion of the mob who had merely put m an appearance to pass away the time. Said the Maguire: There seems to bo danger of this terrible, discussion becoming a sort of mutual admiration society. Talk about division, tho Church is more divided . than Labor. There are any amount of churohes and any amount of clergy, and the latter, instead of carrying out Christ's principles, «ro using their knowledge m idiotic discussions, sotting the eocts at variance. The Church la divided, and a houso divided must fall. What is the Church doing for Labor but setting one part against the other and fooling the workers. Let the Church show a social conscience.. Let her show tho employers of tho country that tho /breaking of tho Arbitration laws makes them equally guilty with tbe~common criminal, who robs a man m the street (Loud applause.) Tho Churches do not do this, because by doing s6 the clergy would loso their congregations, and even their churches. -Half of the work - •Ing class never go insldo a church, and lam ono of them. What with the collection plato shoved under men's noses three times a day and a lot of women m church to ahow tholr dresses off more than anything else, there Is little sympathy with Labor. Very fow parHons have sympathy with Labor, wl^on their bread and butter is In question; They only talk Labor when they want to use It, and then thoy FUNG LABOR OVERBOARD. Tho Church wants to fatten on Labor, to buttress herself up. She is well on tho decline. People arc disgusted with tho modern parson and the modern Church. (Applauso and commotion.) Lawyer Adams meekly roplled, but tho Magulro characterised hi* efforts as a sermon. It was a aermon and a very sickly one. Parson Wallace waa superseded by Parrton Gray, but .tho Magulro wuot for the Baptist bloke, too, asking him If ho wanted to mouopollflc the limelight Parson Gray flew Into a vary towering ruge, and amid interjections, he remarked blilngly down of the Mttfftiiro: "I havo met a lot of men on the platform, but I have never met a roan like you. I never mot. a man who could put ituch colossal Ignorance Into a tcn-mlnutes speech as you UK) to-night (Pandemonium). I followed htm m a Prohibition campaign - — " The Mngulre: You nro referring to a' meeting m Haweru, where the uudiouco heckled .you, und where I received two columns and you flvo 'incurs. Parson Gray: I will not allow you to talk of the church and tho ministry tho way yuu havo done. Thts Maguire: Ot course, you won't; you want me to aluther yo*i over— well, I won't do it. (Loud laugctur.)