CONDITIONS TO-DAY

Southland Times, Issue 21895, 22 December 1932, Page 16

CONDITIONS TO-DAY

POLITICIANS CRITICIZED. OUTSPOKEN MISSIONER. “If our legislators open Parliament with prayer asking God’s help and then proceed to frame laws which are contrary to all human nature they are hypocrites,” said the Rev. Jasper Calder, of Auckland, in the course of an outspoken sermon dealing with unemployment and distress. It was easy to understand the pitiful stories of troubled and needy people with hungry children, said Mr Calder, but difficult to understand the leaders of the people. Would Christ have tolerated what was being done? His opinion was that politicians who required to be recalled in the House by the ringing of a bell in order to ensure a majority vote on some Bill could not be much troubled about to-day’s conditions. Real statesmen would not show cold-blooded indifference to the sufferings of the people. The other day a woman went to the Labour Bureau to get an order for rations for her family. On being informed that nothing could be done for her she called her five children together and told them to stay in the office there and the officials behind the counter would look after them. She then started away for her home, but was promptly recalled and given an order. She was a mother fighting for her children. All unemployed and impoverished parents could not do that, but it had served in that one instance.

I am not being disloyal to the church when I say that things are all wrong,” said Mr Calder. “In Synod the clergy did not say much for fear of being misunderstood. Have we got to give in because we might be misunderstood or offend people? I was pleased to see the Archbishop’s protests against the cut in relief pay. We simply have to do something to rouse the authorities or else hungry people will rebel in the wrong way. There are many sins, but surely none worse than the cry of children being left hungry. I believe we should all join in a great procession, led by the Cross of Christ, and carrying our banners. All denominations could join in until the procession was .thousands strong. Such a demonstration would demand attention. I believe we could get a deputation to wait on the Archbishop to lead in the cause of righteousness in the march without a stick or a stone, but with the banner of Christ at the head. Parliament is closing down over the holidays to consider a policy. God forgive them that they will fight over policies when hungry children .are crying outl”