CHURCH AND LABOUR.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13903, 14 May 1909, Page 5

CHURCH AND LABOUR.

MR FISHER'S,CONCLUSIONS

Press Association-By Telegraph-Copyrigh SYDNEY, May 13.

Mr Fisher, the Federal Prime Minister, referring to his reception at the Presbyterian Assembly,. said that the signs; of the times pointed to the churches as a whole banging influence to. bear in improving the lot of ths> masses,' CLERGYMEN • INTERVIEWED. ' Per Press Association. '-''■.. DUNEDIN, May 12 The leading lights of the various churches were seen . tins morning by a "Star" reporter with respect to Mr Fisher's statements -in Sydney. The Primate (Dr Neville) said that had the Commonwealth Premier consulted the Anglican Church. Year Book he would have seen not only a long list of -institutions for grappling with social problems, but. he might have discovered that'last year alone : the Anglican Church raised over £8,000,000 by voU untary contributions, for educational and - benevolent purposes, a large proportion of which, went towards the remedying of social evils. The Dunedin diocese though a one supports both clergy and women workers,, exclusively to visit hospitals and gaols and grapple with social evils. .

The Rev. P. W. Fairclough (Methodist) thinks the Presbyterian Assembly owes an apology -to the Churches for giving Mr Fisher a platform from which to deliver his cantiiig nonsense. Men of his kidney are known to be as much against the Church as they are against the Empire. He considers there is more, cant to the square inch' in labour talk about Churches, than in any other, department. The .Church is ' not organised for political purposes, and . could not lead in social questions in thfe way the Labour Party conceives, without being political, but the' Church can and does cultivate pure . life and humane feelings and sympathies. These are the true source of all social reform. The Churches are not at all likely to be dragooned into subserviency by stupid abuse poured on them by the'* Fishers, the Tillets. and the like. .

Dr. Waddell, of St. Andrews, admits that the Church ought, never to have allowed a too active government ro look after her poor or destitute' rtlrildreii, but his experience of all these social questions is that political" and social legislation 'falls to the ground unless backed tip'by; the religious reform of individuals. The Church is a dvnamic force at .the back of the State.