POLITICS AND PEOPLE

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1932, Page 11

POLITICS AND PEOPLE

MINISTER’S DENUNCIATION. CHRISTIAN PROCESSION URGED. “If: our legislators ■ open Parliament with prayer asking God’s help, arid then proceed to frame laws which are contrary to all; human nature, they are hypocrites,” said the Rev. Jasper Calder at the Epiphany Church, Wellington, m 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 1 to understand the leaders of the people. Would -Christ have toler-. ated 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 1 served in that tone instanae- People were •:

finding help was unavailable when assistance was sought of the Labour Department and Hospital Board. They came to the City Mission, but owing to lack of funds could not be helped much. He did not like saying it, but if things got much - worse it would Jinve to close. “I am not being disloyal to the Church when I-say 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 protest 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, 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 a march without a stick or a stone, but with the banner 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 out.”