BISHOP ON IDLENESS.

New Zealand Tablet, 17 April 1919, Page 38

BISHOP ON IDLENESS.

The Most Rev. Dr. Gaughran, Bishop of Meath, lately preaching in Mullingar Cathedral, said that thousands of people in Ireland, England, and Scotland were idle not because no man had hired them,, but because they could get substantial sums of money without working. What were they to think of legislation which put a premium on idleness ! Unless thepresent regulations were withdrawn or amended the’ results would be disastrous. Was it not a most dangerous thing that to-day men were paid more forbeing idle than many others were paid for working ? Referring to the industrial unrest, his Lordship said it was only in the last resort there should be recourse to strikes, because when people’s passions were aroused there was every danger of a violation of the laws of charity and justice. The worker was entitled to a wage sufficient to support his family in decency and comfort, and no man to-day could so support his family unless his wages were considerably increased. Every man was entitled to recreation, but in adjusting the hours of work it was important that the question of output should be kept in view.