Welsh Journals

THE WELSH OUTLOOK NOTES OF THE MONTH. The Living The most significant event in the Wage. religious world for some time past has been the publication of the Living Wage Manifesto, recently issued by the Council for Christian Witness. The Council draws its membership from many of the well-known leaders of the Churches, Established, Nonconformist, and Roman Catholic, who share the conviction that the spirit of Christ should rule our social practice. It represents a noteworthy attempt to organise Christian opinion as it bears upon a definite object and the Council believes that this is a fitting time to enforce the principle of the Living Wage. Refrain- ing from advocating any particular measure of reform, and frankly admitting the economic difficulties in the way of application, the Manifesto goes on to say But we cannot avoid (these) difficulties by abstain- ing from action. The principle of the living wage is a Christian principle, and its progress depends not on our merely tolerating or passively accepting it, but on our embracing it loyally, accepting heartily the personal sacrifices which it entails, and co-opera- ting vigorously in promoting its application wherever we can, by our prayers, our study, our votes and our service. There is no excuse for regarding as otherwise preventable the evils arising out of the normal in- security of employment and lowness of wages. But we either do not pay attention to what we cannot altogether ignore, or we allow our minds to be pos- sessed by maxims and standards which are really due to selfishness and ignorance. The principles of Christian Brotherhood require us, for the sake JANUARY, 1914. of the whole corporate life, to take strenuous steps to redeem our suffering members. The failure of our almsgiving to provide any real remedy for social evils, the actually demoralising effect of so much that is done in response to the cry of need, this ought to stimulate us to assist in pro- viding some more fundamental remedy. Charity.' even at its best, is no substitute for justice, and it follows from the Biblical principle of justice, that the first charge upon an industry is adequate remunera- tion for the worker. For the sake of all classes alike, we should be eager to give what is right because it is right, and not because we are obliged. Political Economy is recognising with in- creasing conviction that ill-paid labour is not really economical labour, and that to buy in the cheapest market' regardless of how the worker is sweated is a shorted-sighted prudence." The manifesto closes with these brave and timely words We believe that the Christian Churches are not exercising anything like the influence which they are capable of exercising on our social life. We do not desire party politics in the pulpit but we do desire alike from the mouth of the preacher, in the prayer of the worshipper, and in the common conscience of the good Christian, the recognition of social duty and the honest and courageous appli- cation of the principles of justice and mercy." This weighty pronouncement is signed by the Bishop of Oxford (president of the Council) and by nearly 150 men and women belonging to different communions and political parties. Among the