CHURCH & LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 8

CHURCH & LABOUR.

■SPEECH BY DEAN CARRINGTON. (By Telegraph.—truss Association-' t Cbrlstchurch, October 15. At'a conference of clerical and lay members of tho Christchurch Anglican Synod to-day, ail interesting dobate took place on a motion by the Rev. J. L. Mortimer: "That it ds a moral obligation on our Church to study the Labour movement with the deepest sympathy, and to further the cause of Labour by every possible means." Tho Rev. P. Dunnage proposed as an amendment that tho latter part of tho motion should be struck out, and tho following words substituted: "And to •use every effort to bring the social teaching of the Christian faith to bear upon the solution of the various problems involved."

Dean Carrington said he hoped the Synod would not start a discussion on points of political economy. They would mako very little progress on thoso lines. In tho course of a good many years of experience among colliers and ironworkers ho had been greatly struck by tho inability of tho average business man to appreciate tho workers' standpoint. The Labour movement was not in essence a movement to grab more money. It was founded on a deeprooted sense of wrong or injustice. Ho had seen 700- men suddenly turned' off from work after perhaps twenty or thirty years' work in the same colliery, simply iii) order to facilitate some financial juggling Such power should not bo permitted to bo used in such a way. Ho described tho system of "profit sharing," devised by a British firm, which gave a> bonus to tho foreman of every department based on the output of his department. It was simply a subtle scheme to make every foreman a sweater. The firm that had tried that had lost its best workers, and incidentally some thousands a year ■ in hard cash. To see people who lived on tlio proceeds of their labour rushing about m expensive motor-cars to their grouse moors, living on champagne and other luxuries and idleness, had its effect upon tho mind of the worker. He saw that thero was something wrong. Tho speaker was giving his view as a privato member of tho Synod. Tho Rev. Mr. Mortimor said that the movement was levelled against a state of society which was immoral and antiChristian, and, therefore, should enlist the sympathies of every Christian. Ho quoted figures to show that the standard of payment to workers had not been raised. The Labour movement made for brotherhood, and aimed at the renowal of Christian civilisation. Its mainspring was not a desiro-for material gain, but for justice, for better society, and for enlarged opportunities. Tho llov. Mr. Webb supported the motion generally, but said that the Churclrcould hot accept a limited definition of tho word "labour." Much organised labour was opposed, not so much to tho capitalist as to unorganised labour. _ Mr. J. Braddick said that he had earned 16s. a week as a farm labourer 18 years ago, and now for tho same work lie paid 30s. There had been no corresponding riso in the cost of living. The Church should preach tho doctrine of contentment, and not tako part in a movement of discontented men who believed that Jack was as good as his master. (Applauso.) The Rev. Mr. Money said it was not tho duty of tho Church to administer a soporific to those likely to endanger tho dividends of tlio well-to-do members of the flocL The duty of tho Church was to fight injustice. The motion, as amended, was carried.