The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1914. STUDYING THE SOCIAL QUESTION

New Zealand Tablet, 12 February 1914, Page 33

The New Zealand Tablet THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1914. STUDYING THE SOCIAL QUESTION

s£o? • OME time ago we outlined in these columns (K»vll a proposal, which seemed to us entirely feasible, for introducing into this country the system of study and examinations in social science and political economy carried out in England by the Catholic Social ' Guild, and for enabling New Zealand Cath- '• olics—and particularly our young men and women—to participate . in this valuable scheme and to enter for the examinations provided thereunder. Under the proposal submitted, we agreed, in, order to give the movement a start, to act as general representative of the C.S.G. in New Zealand and to make the necessary arrangements for carrying out the examinations this year —after which we hope to be able to hand the work over to that invaluable organisation, the Catholic Federation. * We have now received from the general secretary of the Guild full information regarding the course of study laid down for the current year, together with a limited supply, of the text-books prescribed. It may encourage intending candidates to know that the course this year is even easier than that of last year, and is on very clear arid well-defined lines. The text-book is A Primer of Social Science, by the Right Rev. Mgr, Parkinson, D.D., Ph. D.—an admirable work of some 270 pages. The work covers in an elementary but, so far as it goes, comprehensive and thorough fashion the

whole ground of modern social science. The nature of the subjects treated may be gathered from the study ■ questions supplied as a sample and guide to the intending student. We quote a. few of these questions: What are the subjects studied in social science, and for what reasons is such study beneficial ? Mention the conditions of modern society which most urgently need, improvement. Do you think that the present social evils can be remedied by purely religious or purely economic means? What are the chief religious and moral principles held by all Catholics ? State and discuss the views of the Catholic “ Conservative School.” State and discuss the views of the Catholic “Social Reform School. What is the Catholic doctrine as to the destiny of the individual : and what bearing has that doctrine on social policy ? In what respects are all men equal and in what respects unequal ? Give examples of individual rights and duties and explain why they are rights and why duties. How is the family constituted : and what are the purposes which it fulfils? What are the limits of State authority with regard to the family ? What are the factors which lead to the differentiation of classes in society ? Is this differentiation evil? “The State is necessary to man, and authority is necessary to the State.” Discuss this statement. What are the principles which should determine the nature and extent of State action? Mention some of the functions performed by the State at the present day. What is the object for which the Church exists? Give examples of Catholic doctrines directly relating to economic life. Give examples of social benefit resulting from the work of the Church.’ These are questions which are being asked by every intelligent Catholic ; and they, are questions to which every intelligent Catholic ought to be able to give an adequate answer . We may add that the list of specimen questions supplied follows consecutively every page of . the text-book and the full list of questions will be printed in the J .7. Tablet at a later stage when our Catholic clubs are in session. The collateral books of reference which are prescribed are:—(a) The Science of Wealth, by J. A. Hobson (Home University Series) ; (b) Social Duties of Catholics, by C. S. Devas; and (c) The Pope and the People (Catholic Truth Society), containing the Encyclicals of Leo XIII. on The Condition of the Working Classes, Tlie Duties of Christians as Citizens, and Christian Democracy. As we have already explained, one half of the examination questions are set on the given text-book, and the other half on the books, just enumerated, which are recommended for collateral study. * We do not need to add to what we have already said on more than one occasion as to the urgent need for study of the social question. The importance of the subject is illustrated by the fact that his Grace Archbishop Redwood has devoted another weighty and illuminating pastoral to the discussion of one very pressing aspect of the problem ; and it is stressed and emphasised by the pointed and pertinent references to social reform in the able and thoughtful review of the history and work of the Church contained in .the notable sermon delivered by Archbishop O’Shea at Christchurch on Sunday last. As we have already said, we have , received a limited supply of text-books from the Guild; and these will now be available to intending candidates. The supply is more than sufficient to cover the orders of all the applicants ’ who have already written to us, but the margin to spare is not a large one; and with any notable addition - to the list of candidates—such as may .be anticipated ; when our literary clubs resume their meetings—our whole stock will soon be absorbed. For their own sakes, therefore, we urge upon all our young people who have any thought of taking up this valuable course of study and self-improvement to let us have their applications without delay.