CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22257, 9 May 1934, Page 11

CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA

SOCIAL PROBLEMS MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION. (From ou:;'Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, May 1. The Church' in Australia . has many times been accused. of failing to associate itself with , the social \ problems of the. day. In recent years it seems to have come more into the, spiritual life of the community, for there has been an increase in church-going. Utterances from the pulpit have been more outspoken than was the ca6e previously, and although they have dealt superficially with social problems, the Church, as an institution, has done little to find solutions for the vast problems that have faced the Commonwealth.during the trying years of depression. Ministers of the Church seemed to have been satisfied to leave these to the politicians, and Australian politicians have not that reputation which would suggest success. The new Archbishop of Sydney (Dr Mowll) made a welcome announcement at' the week-end when he said that in future the Church of England would closely associate itself with unemployment and other industrial problems. He has not indicated what his policy will be, but great interest will centre in a meeting which he has called for next Tuesday, when he will open a discussion on industrial problems. Other denominations do not want to lag behind, and it is suggested that, following the archbishop's conference, a conference of a more representative character should be held. This may be attended by members of the various public questions committees. • Representatives of two of the big churches in the metropolitan area recently discussed the basic wage, and sug-, gested that it was time to call a halt in reductions. This was a bold move, but was well received in most sections. Even certain politicians support the views of the churchmen. Anyway, there has not been a further cut; in fact, there has been a general increase. True, the increase has been small, but it might silence the critics of low wages. It will be of particular interest to hear the views of the churches on such matters as hours and general conditions of employment. The Methodist Church has announced that it welcomes the lead that has been given by the archbishop, and will be pleased to give him all the assistance within its power.