THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18747, 28 December 1922, Page 5

THE LABOUR MOVEMENT

ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCH. ADDRESS BY ARCHBISHOP JULIUS. (Pkb United Phf.ss Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 27. In an address at the opening of the Conference of the Church of England Men’s Society, Archbishop Julius said: “I am in deep sympathy with the Labour movement. I have watched it and preached about it, and done a little service in it. I am tremendously anxious about some things in connection with it. I know that its ideals are true. I know they are true, and according to the mind of Christ, but I nrn afraid in case the Labour Party should forget the spirited and majestic basis of any work that would bo lasting and true. If it does not realise the spiritual basis of its aspirations it might build on something narrower. If it chucks religion ;if it chucks the spirit of Christ; if it loses sight of the sacramental nature of all eartblv service whatever, it will fail, and it will be inst about as helpful as other parties. The object of our society is to form a body trained in truly earnest worth, which shall go forth through the country penetrating every institution, influencing every kind of work, and bringing in the principles of which I have spoken. I have no sympathy with the man who says I am a, Christian, and therefore have nothing to do with social affairs. Our motto is ‘ Forward.” It is God’s world, not the devil’s. This society’s work is quiet penetration, influencing the Labour movement, influencing the Reform Government, and influencing every kind of social movement in tho word. The whole question of membership then arises. Wo want quality aboveoverytliing else. We must pray, pray for every kind of work in the municipal councils and everywhere else. It is all God’s wish, and you must pray for it.”