INDUSTRIAL UNREST

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 46, 18 November 1920, Page 4

INDUSTRIAL UNREST

ITS DEMORALISING EFFECT

GENERAL ASSEMBLY EXERCISED

"Tho fcclinc disclosed by the vc.plies • to tho question (i&sitlered throughout tho Church) about industrial unrest is. one of keen interest in the well-being of working men," runs a section in the import of a committee s>ubmitted - to yessitting of tho Presbyterian General Assembly. "Sotno stern words, it proceeds, "are used about profiteering and the feeble attampts made todeal with it. One minister who livesi in the yicinity of a coal mine declare*' fftat the miner is getting 'about Is. per ton more than ho got before the war, and the householder is nayin# 18s. per ton more for it than he paid before the war.' 'If the miners of New Zealand agreed*to work for .nothine It would reduco the price of coal by about 4s. 63. per ton. If the sheep-owners nav» their wool' for nothing it would reduce tho price of a $nit of clothes by about •all.' On tho other hand (ha frequent strikes and the introduction of 'go slow' policies have a demoralising effect upon tlio workers. Economic questions cannot ho detached from moral issues and obligations. During the past year the disputing parties have, shown no hesitation in directly contradicting each other's statement?. The industrial civilwar will not eeaso until 'ill parties aro nrewed to act upon 'a' 4>asis of truthfulness and good-will. Cannot ministers and ciders draw nearer to the field of industrial warfare than tlipy usually dof One minister reports 'that a labour representative addressed the Bible Class in his church, and 'made a moderate statement of tho relationship between the Church and Labour.' Not by the study of text-books on economics and Socialism alone, but by personal contact with and earnest interest in men and their work and their disputes, will the Church m.iko her influence felt for good."