THE FEDERAL PREMIER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2500, 13 May 1909, Page 5

THE FEDERAL PREMIER.

ADDRESS TO A CHURCH GATHERING. THE CHURCH AND LABOR. United Press Association— Copyright SYDNEY, May 12. Mr Fisher, the Federal Premier, at the invitation of the Presbyterian General Assembly, addressed a large gathering on the subject of the Church and labor.

Tho Rev. Mr Waugh, in opening the discussion, said organised labor was looking at the Church with curious, sceptical eyes, wondering what the Church was going to do. There was need of something being done. It was undeniable that a large number were not getting a living wage. Mr Fisher declared the question was not political, but a social one, touching the very roots of civilisation. Instead of being in the lead 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 they could make more progress by association with a movement which was not the Church, but contained something for women and men —something making for the welfare of their fellows. During the last 16 years Australia had doubled its wealth, but the increase had not gone to the struggling people who were its backbone. If the Church allowed these things it Avould not progress, but would be left behind in the social movement and be ignored. We in a way were civilised, but were not Teally Christians and civilised when we allowed honest men to starve. It •would he impertinent to say where tho remedy was, but he claimed the Church’s sympathy for those in danger not only of the pangs of hunger, but in moral danger also. The Church failed miserably regarding the housing of tho poor and working conditions. Vested interests were standing against the lives of our women and children. There were rings and combines on every hand. Some people high in the Church tokl people that these things operated for the good of the public. They thought nothing of cornering foodstuffs. It was degrading to the country and a disgrace to Parliament, reflecting upon" every Church that failed to condemn it. These were the honest convictions of his hear'. 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 on his speech, Mr Fisher said he did not deny that the Church preached the gospel of love your neighbor as yourself, but preaching did not effect the result desired. . The Assembly expressed its thanks to Mr Fisher. Regarding the social evil, Mr, fiishci declared that if the united body of the Christian Church were to say that this must not continue it could not continue, “because we who stand as a body outride the Church will stand behind you like one mart.”