TO-DAY’S PROBLEMS

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 456, 18 May 1932, Page 12

TO-DAY’S PROBLEMS

Co-operation of All Classes Needed. BISHOP LISTON’S APPEAL. (Special to the “ stay.") AUCKLAND, May IS. Speaking at the opening of a new Roman Catholic school at Henderson, Bishop Liston referred to the difficult times through which New Zealand is passing. “ Leaders in many walks of life—members of Parliament, economists, bankers, men of affairs—are intent on solving problems of the gravest concern to us all,” he said. “I, for one, have confidence in their ability and integrity, and believe that if they seek and receive the co-operation of all classes they will in good time put to right the many grave defects in our existing order that mean so much to the well-being of the people. “ But let us all be clear,” the bishop continued, “ that order will come out of confusion only when first things are put first. The social question is an economic one, but even more a moral and religious one. The moral crisis is more dangerous to the best interests of men than the economic one, and the moral forces of the world have fallen into disorder and need repair. How many to-day are quite frankly telling us that for years past they have, consciously or unconsciously, been sufficient unto themselves and living without God. To them now come bewilderment, dismay, dread. To the Christian mind the difficulties of the day bring of course distress, but no undue perplexity. They do but emphasise the lesson which history has written again and again as to the true meaning and value of human life. “ I take leave to add,” Bishop Liston said, in conclusion, “ that all classes must approach the tasks to be done in our land in the highest patriotic spirit. The tasks of peace are no less important. and surely no less difficult than those of war. They call for deliberation and self-restraint, for promptness and energy. They demand, especially, that our people should unite their forces, for the common good: that the Government should come to the people and trust them, and should offer the best possible measure of justice to those in need, that the people should give to the Government in their doing of these things the fullest measure of support. The need for justice and charity is, imperative, and no less urgent is the need for unity and cohesion.”