ECONOMICS AND THE CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21598, 19 March 1932, Page 14

ECONOMICS AND THE CHURCH

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Much admiration has been evoked concerning a recent letter from the pen of the Rev. W. W. MacArthur, of Portobello, but I fail to see in what direction he has covered any new ground or that he has unearthed any new facts bearing upon the depression. Mr MacArthur has dwelt upon the conflict between man-made laws and the laws of the Creator, but this conflict has existed and has been known for hundreds of years. As a matter of fact, it has been laid down by the pioneers of orthodox economics that justice and right do not enter into the science of political economy. It is many, many years since the following definition by Aiden Smith could be truthfully applied to this branch of science:—“lt proposes . . . to supply a plentiful subsistence ,for the people or, more properly, to enable them to provide such a revenue or subsistence for themselves.” Consider now the following:— “Mora] considerations have nothing to do with political economy.” (John Stuart Mill.) “The economic want is not necessarily a rational or healthy want.” (Professor Smart.) “I am unaware of any rule of justice applicable to the problem of distributing the products of industry, and the dictates of justice constitute a disturbance of the fundamental assumptions on which economic reasoning is based ” (Professor Cairns). From these statements and from present day events it is quite apparent that the law of equity does not enter into the science of political economy as preached by orthodox economists. It is quite safe to assume that this fact has been known to, and ignored by, the Church as a body for generations. I cannot call to mind any concerted action by the Church against modern capitalism, and I cannot avoid contrasting the spirit of a recent sermon to business men by a well-known clergyman in Dunedin and that of Christ’s action towards the money changers in the Temple. The Church, in common with other institions, realises upon which side its bread is buttered and, if not exactly abetting modern business methods, at least it ignores the inequity and avoids as far as possible controversy upon the subject. A recent manifesto issued by the Australian churches urges citizens to show their disapproval and detestation of the unworthy methods proposed to secure the recovery of Australia. “ If we think,” ;t concludes, “ that their is an easy road to recovery either by the creation of fictitious money or a mere change of Government we shall be disappointed.” The Church as constituted to-day is one of the most powerful weapons in the capitalistic armoury, and I am quite assured that no lead in economic reform will emanate from it. From individual members perhaps, but not from the Church as a whole! The Church has failed, and failed miser-

ably, to carry out its appointed task. Instead of succouring the weak, instead of leading the halt and the blind, instead of carrying on the great work commenced by Christ, it has constituted itself but a servant of finance, that all-powerful God of to-day. The great opportunity and the last is now before the Church, and I am satisfied that it will stand or fall according to the attitude it adopts in this present Gethsemane. Moses said: “If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out! ” Where does the Church stand to-day?—l am. etc., E. Roberts. Shag Point, March 17.