SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1927, Page 4

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

LAXITY IN SYDNEY. SYDNEY, May 12. The emphatic assertion by a clergyman that the underworld of Sydney is worse than that of London has given rise to spirited controversy in Sydney as to the attitude of the Church, except in isolated eases and places, towards sex and. other social problems. One prominent Anglican clergyman says that the Church lias been cowardly in its treatment of these vital matters ; that in fact, it is profoundly ignorant of them, generally speaking, and that it will never be the vivifying force that it should he until it properly understands the great social facts, and has a vigorous sex and moral educational plan.

A piquant touch has been given to the controversy by the revelation.- in the Press, of two conferences which were held in camera, and of the circumstances in which they arose. A clergmatt went to one ot the highest Church authorities in Sydney, told him in plain but respectful! terms that the Church was ignorant of the real social problems, and invited him to call the clergy together and to summons to the conference' two leading medical men who cold have a heart-to-heart tarn with them. The conferene e was held, and was followed by another gathering. the upshot of which is that the clergy arc now appealing for an oppor-. tunity to have the whole nif.ter dealt with at the next Synod.

The publication of this little hit of hitherto unwritten history caused some thing of a stir, under the arresting caption: “Ts Sydney Squeamish on the Social Facts?”