ECCLESIASTICS AND ECONOMICS
StR,—It must appear to many that there is a world of difference between forming "an alliance with one political party " and advocating "nationalism," one part and one only, in the programme of " one political party." I know of no "resolution " by the Primate from which he could have been construed to have said that he would abstain from advocating a particular reform because it was already a " party " issue. Neither can I conceive the Primate (nor for that matter any other person bent upon reform) so limiting himself. Does Professor Main seriously contend that " ecclesiastics, following the Archbishop's lead," should withhold all support from the advocates of, let us say, legislation dealing with matters relating to the welfare -of the-nation because promoted by one political party? Or is it simply to the Archbishop's " venture into banking and credit" that Professor Main takes exception? If that is the point at issue, Professor Main would seem to have forgotten the "view of the Christian Church as an institution" to which he subscribed earlier on. From that " view" it would appear that any evil which is a hindrance to man's "salvation of mind, body or soul" lies "in the province of the Church." If the present economic order seems to the Archbishop to be at the root of much of the evil of our time he would be doing less than his duty if he abstained from saying so Doubtless it is too much to expect unanimity among Christian people on all questions of social and economic justice. It is precisely for that reason that the Archbishop has so frequently made clear that he speaks on such matters as a private individual. Were he to wait for unanimity, I doubt if we should hear him speak in our generation. For that reason, many are welcoming his leadership even when they are unable to agree wholeheartedly with all his views. It is indeed good that the t Church h " on the march " again. In so saying, we are abandoning the idea of the Archbishop " as a private individual" and we recognise that there
is indeed a strong body. of Christian people behind him.—Yours, •
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