SOCIAL REFORMS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1581, 26 October 1912, Page 11

SOCIAL REFORMS.

ANGLICAN COMMITTEE FORMED,

A call to the Anglican Church to bo up and doing in the matter of civic reform was made to the Auckland Diocesan Synod on Wednesday night by the Rev. C. A. B. Watson. He moved: jlhat to enable the Church to take a more active and effective part m any civic movement of reform or betterment, this Synod appoint a special .committee, to bo known as 'The Social Questions Committee,' for the purpose of watching and acting where necessary, and report to the next Diocesan Kvnod." The mover said the Church shoulil semi out a united message, which would show their labour friends that by divorcing themselves from the inspiring power of the society founded by the Son of God they would deprive their movement of its most substantial prospects of success. There were many civic questions, ho said, which might bo taken up—even townplanning. (Hear, hear.) Mr. 1. G. Ewington considered thesug. gestion to be the most important brought up during the , session. (Hear, hear.) There was no denying the fact that a great class war had begun, and it was the duty of the Church to step on to the battlefield. He beseeched of the people not to give credence to the .revolutionary syndicalists who were in their midst, nor to the 1.W.W., which was n lawless body, advocating a world-wide strife, and endeavouring to bring paralysis to the' industry of the world. The Church should win the men who were to determine such momentous issues. (Applause.) Bishop. Crossley said it would be a great mistake if the commission were confined to members of the Synod. (Hear, hear.) He suggested the careful selection of a level-headed chairman, a doctor, and a lawyer. An important commission of this kipd, acting in the name of the Church, could do infinite harm unless it was wisely directed. He suggested the appointment of Dr. Roberton, the Revs. W. G. Monckton, H. Favell, and W. Chitty. The resolution was carried unanimously, and the members suggested were nominated for membership, with the addition of Archdeacon Calder, the Rev. W. E. Gillam, G. Wells Smailes,.W. C. Wood, Messrs. A. S. Holmes, Edwin Hall. F. G. Ewington, G. Haddow, and

the mover (the Rev. 0. A. B. Watson), with the power to add further. A suggestion that working men should be given representation on the committee was generally endorsed.