MONETARY SYSTEM

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

MONETARY SYSTEM

debate by synod SPIRITED DISCUSSION. CLOSURE MOTION DEFEATED. Spirited , and at times humorous discussion marked ■ the resumption by the Auckland Anglican Synod of the debate on the motion put by the Rev. W. W. Averill last week, calling for a reorganisation of the monetary system with a view to relieving distress. An attempt to apply the closure was defeated by an overwhelming majority. Mr. G. H. Rignall said they had heard in synod the usual extravagance of language and looseness of thought which characterised most of the arguments against the present monetary system. This system had not only been, built upon economic theories, but had behind it the strong sanction of experience. It had been a matter of gradual evolution. It had been moulded in accordance with the times through which it had passed. Any statement from synod denying the merits of the English monetary system would only make them look foolish. POSITION OF ARBITRATION COURT. Mr. Averill should be supported in his sentiments regarding the destroying of the fruits of industry and the intolerable conditions under which some people lived, said Mr. Rignall. The legislation affecting the Arbitration Court, and other’ factors, were bringing about “sweating.” He could tell of employers dischargmg men and. engaging boys, due to the present position of the Arbitration Court. He knew a man with seven children who now received an average wage of £2. Under an.award he would.have received £4 2s 6d. Synod should adopt the suggestion made by the Rev. H, K. Archdall and form a council to ■under-, take leadership in economic questions.

The Rev.' J. H. Cable, Henderson, said what concerned him, in view of his experience ‘ among the men of the relief camps of the west coast, was the apparent impotence of statesmen to find these, men' work that would give them some comfort in living. .Most of : the men in the camps were cheerful,’but it was inevitable 1 that some should discuss with enthusiasm the doctrines of' Lenin. “Would not some membersof synod feel Bolshevik-if they were compelled to leave their homes?” asked Mr. Cable, “and-to go into camps, while; some of the 'more fortunate members of society: can ■go ’to their, golf clubs and bridge parties whenever they please ?” "DIVINE DISCONTENT.” To admit that the present system was failing was not tantamount to a confession that pessimism had eclipsed their optimism. It was an assurance that they were filled with a divine discontent. “What is wanted is men,” said Mr. Cable. “There are weather-cocks enough to-day, men sitting on the fence and watching which way the wind will blow. I sup-, port Mr. AveriU, not because- I think he has found a workable scheme, but because he has the courage to tackle the problem. He has not got'very far yet.. He is like an old hen scratching. Although he has not turned up very much yet he will get there in the end.” The Rev. F. P. Willis moved an amendment to the effect .that synod deplored the . circumstances under which some people were forced to live; that it urged the application of Christian principles to commerce, trade and industry;. and that the archbishop be asked to appoint a social Christian council to make practical proposals. . , The Rev. R. H. Hobday suggested a number of amendments to the , wording of the original. motion, emphasising “a selfish lack of the divine principle of stewardship” in the affairs of the world .and removing from the’motion the clause stating that money should be created on certain specified lines. ' SUFFERING AND CHARACTER. Archdeacon G. Mac Murray expressed high appreciation. of the work done by Mr. Averill for the unemployed . and suffering poor. He agreed entirely that there was need for the Church to show itself without any hesitation on the s’de of the stiffs-. _. Unemployment, however, was a very old" trouble. In his own lifetime he had seen a marvellous change in the attitude of the community, toward the suffering. There had been a tremendous advance in Christian feeling in dealing with this problem. “It is not God’s method of ruling the world to make it easy and comfort-

able .'for us,” said Archdeacon MacMurray. “If it were not for the incentives of want and hunger we should not have advanced in .the scale of progress as we have. Sorrow and suffering are God’s keenest chisels for carving out Christian character in the souk of men. That is no reason why the Church should not do everything in its power to minister to those in need. That is why I agree with Mr. Averill, though not with his solution. An experiment as suggested in the motion - would be a very dangerous thing.” THE PIONEER SPIRIT. Mr. J. Manning said the amendments seemed to sidestep the issue. It had been said that what was wanted was more of ..the pioneer spirit. He accused the opponents of the motion of being the ones who -most needed that spirit. They were . clinging to the out-wojm ways. They were imitating the actions of the ostrich, burying their heads in the sand instead of; facing the issue. He would not . like to think a child had to go through a chaos like the present chaos, even to form a Christian character.' The price was too great. Mr. W. Skegg contended that the motion was undiluted Socialism of the most dangerous kind. He thought it would prove no remedy, but' only bring disaster.

Mr. F. Sangar said they had been told to leave the matter to the experts. The history of experts, however, had not been an encouraging one. They opposed every time any suggestion for the betterment of the industrial class. The present crisis had given the Church an opportunity of righting a great wrong. Mr. J. B. Lusk moved that synod proceed to the next business on the order paper. There were cries of “No.” Archbishop Averill put the motion, but it was defeated on the voices, only three or four voices being raised in favour of it, and the discussion was resumed. Mr. Averill, in reply, said he was not trying to beguile synod into Douglas credit. He was asking them to endorse Christian principles. It was possible for synod to say whether it was in accordance with Christ’s principles for a money system to stand between people and the goods they needed. SYNOD CARRIES MOTION. RECASTING OF THE CLAUSES. Auckland, October 18. After a further protracted debate a compromise removing the most contentious clauses was reached by the Anglican Synod yesterday on the motion by the Rev. W. W. Averill dealing with social and monetary matters. A select committee was' appointed to recast the motion to a form acceptable to all members o' -the synod.