CHURCH AND WORKER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 134, 15 September 1910, Page 2

CHURCH AND WORKER.

DISCUSSION IN PRESBYTERY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday The Rev. the Wellington Presbytery, reported today on the recent conference held between members of the Trades and Labour Councils and a specially appointed committee from the Presbytery in pursuance of a practice recently adopted with much success by the United Free Church of Scotland and the Presby-; terian Church, of the United States. There had been, he said, a free, full and frank discussion of questions upon which the Church and Labour were mutually interested. Although nothing definite had been done and no resolu-i fcion some to, yet an understanding was, arrived at which would, he felt sure, I tend to improve the relations of thej Church and Labour. There was com-1 plete accord on the matter of Sunday observance and hearty co-operation in respect to it. There was also much feel-; ing of unpleasantness, happily removed by explanation, at the fact that an invitation sent to the council by the churches had- not been replied to. This was because that council was defunct. The Labour representatives, too, were prepared to throw in their influence in the direction of obtaining better and ■more efficient licensing legislation. The Labour representatives, too, weri against all forms of gambling, especially the totalisator and the bookmaker. The Rev. Gibson Smith said he was 1 sorry to interrupt the speaker, but he understood that on that subject the Labour representatives made it clear that they were but expressing their individual opinions. The Rev. W. Shirer: Th&t was so. I The Rev. R. Inglis agreed that an ! individual opinion only on gambling was expressed. He went on to say that Iso far as the Labour representatives were Concerned they thougiht they should have the interests and sympathy of the Church in regard to making better provision for maternity cases, better | homes for workers, cheaper rents, aaid there were other matters for which they felt they were entitled to look lo the Church for sympathy and interest. A j desire was expressed for more frequent meetings and for the discussion of questions of mutual interest. It was suggested that a representative should be appointed by the council for the workers and by the Presbytery for the churches to meet and confer. "We were| dealing with perfect gentlemen," the rev. gentleman went on, "and the meeting was a most friendly and cordial description. We found the Labour representatives most willing and anxious to work for us. It would be a most suicidal policy if we were to refuse to ! -.vovk wit'i men who were so anxious to wor'.i with us." The itport was received and adopted, and the committee appointed was encouraged to continue the good work that it had so well entered upon. ' The Rev. B. Hudson pointed out that as the action of the Presbytery was sur«| to be criticised, it would be as well, to make it clear that although members of the Trades and Labour Council! were socialists, the Presbytery in deal-; in" with that council was dealing with a "body representing affiliated unions of workers. He remarked that the Federation of Labour, another organisation, was composed of socialists. The heads of the Socialist Party in New Zealand. was Mr. R. Semple. He then suggested! that the Rev. R. Inglis should be thej representative of the Presbytery to con-, fer with the Trades and Labour Council party. The Rev. R. Inglis, while admitting t that the proposal did him honour, I wished to be relieved of this responsible | task. Some member better qualified j should be appointed. The motion, how-\ ever, was carried, the Rev. R. Inglis being appointed. A suggestion that there should be a Labour Sunday was made by the Rev. Mr. Hudson, and the idea was comtC UHc wbiiOMv* _ rt[ r .. _ ,