CHURCH AND LABOUR

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12017, 6 March 1920, Page 5

CHURCH AND LABOUR

Per ’Press Association. Auckland, March 5. The attitude of the church to the present day labour problems was" considered by the Methodist Conference to-day. Rev Johnson moved that in order to demonstrate its practical sympathy with the efforts being made for improving social and industrial conditions, the Conference be requested to set aside one Sunday throughout the whole connection as a day on which special reference shall be made by the various preachers to ‘the urgent necessity of the application of Christian principles in industrial affairs. The mover said that now was the time for the church to show its sympathy with the people in the tight against profiteering and other social evils.

• Tho motion was passed unanimonsly, and the Sunday prior to Labour Day was set aside for the purpose mentioned. The foirowing motion was also carried. Being convinced that the present industrial unrest is largely tho outcome of long continued, un‘ just and oppressive economic conditions, which are contrary to the principles of Christianity, and have borne most hardly on the workers, tho Conference earnestly recommends to the members of our churches a systematic and sympathetic study of present conditions of life in order to come to some just and effective solution of the problem, in a better understanding between employer and employed, and closer co-operation for their mutual benefit and contentment. To that end the Conference further recommends that at least once quarterly in all churches an address shall he delivered on a pressing industrial question; that circuits be urged to discuss various industrial problems at their evening meetings; and that whenever the opportunity arises quarterly meetings and synods should demonstrate their practical sympathy with labour by supporting just claims or improved conditions. Conference is of opinion that the solution of industrial unrest can be found only as the principles of Christianity are uncompromisingly applied to commercial, social and industrial relationships.