THE CHURCH AND LABOUR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9442, 12 May 1909, Page 5

THE CHURCH AND LABOUR.

ADDRESS BY MR FISHER

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph, .Copyright. Received May I'd, 10 a.m. Sydney, May 13.

Mr Fisher, by the invitation of the Presbyterian General Assembly, addressed a large gathering on the subject of the church and labour. The Rev. Mr Wangh, in opening the discussion, said that organised, labour was looking at Ithe ohuroh with curious sceptical eyes, wondering what the church was going to do. There was need of sbmeching being done. It was undeniable that a large number were not getting a living wage. Mr Fisher declared that the question was not political, but social, touching the very roots of civilisation. Instead of being a leader in dealing with the matter the church had dragged behind and proved unequal to its first social duty. What estranged people from the church was the fact that it could make more progress by association with a moveTmenfc which was not a church, but contained for women and men something “making for the welfare of their fellows. During the last 16 years Australia had doubled her wealth, but the increase had not gone to the struggling people who were its backbone. If the churon allowed these things it would not progress, bat be left behind in the social movement and be ignored. We are in a way civilised, but aremot really Christians civilised when wo allow honest men to starve. It would be impertinent for me to sayjhere what the remedy is, but I claim the church’s sympathy for those in danger not only of the pangs of hunger but ol moral danger. The church had also failed miserably regarding housing of the poor and their working- conditions. Vested interests wefe standing against the lives of women and children. There were rings >nd combines on every hand. Some people high in the church told people these things operated for the good of the public, but they thought nothing of cornering foodstuffs. It was a degradation to the country, a disgrace to Parliament, and a reflection upon every church that failed to condemn such proceedings. These were the honest convictions of his heart, and he hoped the church would deal with the question speedily even if it had to call a special session of the Assembly.

Replying to criticisms of his speech, Mr Fisher said he did not deny that the church preached the Gospel of “Love your neighbour as yourself,” but preaching did not effect the result desired,

Regarding the social evil, Mr Fisher declared that if the united body of the Christian Church were to say that this must not continue it couid not continue, because we who stand as a body outside the fchurohes will stand behind you like one man. The Assembly expressed its thanks to Mr Fisher.