771r/1n AFIVfMra
fsde7e-,..
-731,00"41,7'".
07","011""4977;, -
Your
"Taste Tells"
Eyes! a'
Consult
Midi& Elliott
Johnston's SAUSAGES
Opticians
and
Piccadilly Arcade,
FRANKFURTS
Perth Tel. B7988
NO. 30045.
PERTH, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, MS
SIXTY-NINTH YEAR.
PRICE THREEPENCE
Nazism, Fascism and the
The Catholic Idea and
Bureaucratic Octopus
*Social Sops Do Not Flake Men Free of the Machine, of Vested Interests, By S.K. of Servile Dependence on the State
Catholics, like the Church, Must Defend Freedom from these Tyrannies . . .
-
In the "Labour Charter" of the Italian Fascism we find the individual subordinated to the Nation, which is "endowed with an existence and with ends and means of action superior in power and duration," and the Nation "finds its integral realisation" in the Fascist State the State is, in the words of Mussolini, the "veritable reality of the individual," and "all is in the State and nothing human exists and nothing has value outside the State." Nazism and Fascism are at one in their assertion of State absolutism. The late Holy Father was emphatic in his assertion that it is society that for man, and not man for society. It is true that he warns us against taking this in a liberal individualist sense as "subordinating society to the selfish use of the individual": it means that through "an organic union with society and by mutual collaboration the attainment of earthly happiness is placed within the reach of all." We cannot serve unless we are free. To compel service is to run the risk of destroying the very foundations of For the life of political soservice. ciety is a life: it is organic, not inert but growing. We should defend our freedom, as the Church defends freedom, against tyrannies: against the dictatorship: tyranny of absolute against the tyranny of fussy bureauwhich tyranny cracy: against the throws to the multitude the sop of social services when it ought to be making possible for each man in the multitude the living of a responsible creative life: against the tyranny of money which invests the few, in defiance of all Constitutions, all moral principles, all the authority of God, with power over the lives and the destinies of the many. It is a terrible temptation, to turn from the disorders and injustices
Is it provided? This is not only a revival of the old question of righting a wrong being done to Catholics economically-it is a question of a government performing its functions. The problem was recently posed by Frank Pakenham, an English convert to Catholicism-at one time in Neville Chamberlain's Conservative Research Department, and afterwards a Labour City Councillor of London. He suggested that those in doubt about the position ask themselves and answer two questions: "I Is effective participation in English politics likely to be possible except on the basis of membership of a political party-membership, in fact, the Conservative or Labour Party? (2): Assuming that the answer to this question is NO, are Catholics in the years after the war (a) to wash their hands of practical politics; (b), to criticise from outside with fine contempt for both parties; (c), to join the Conservative, or (d) join the Labour Party? The average Catholic "There is one supremely inspiring and must decide between (c1 and (d). He irritating institution in the world-and may not welcome the choice, but he its eaemies."-Chester:ln only escapes it by neglecting his social responsibilities." Chesterton long ago remarked that be, of is a question, as there must building a new and better world,iumust "the fundamental truth in the modern world is that there are no Fascists, no start from the argument that the individualism of a Capitalist Society, Socialists, no Liberals, no Parliamentarians. There is one supremely inwhich can allow enormous riches to the spiring and irritating institution in the few and poverty to the many, which the world; and there are its enemies. Its to can give irresponsible power few emhampered by the legitimate enemies are ready to be for violence or power of those whose function it is to against violence: for liberty or against liberty: for representation or against represent the interests of the manythe individualism of such a society is representation: and even for peace or against peace. anti-Christian. The Church is always in advance of There should be more discussion of the world-that is why She is said to be politics in Catholic ranks, for Chesterton said there are only two things behind the times-She discussed everyworth talking about-religion and poli- thing so long ago that the discussion tics-but it need not degenerate to dis- has been forgotten-St. Thomas was an We urge internationalist before all our internacussion of party politics. Catholics to be politically minded, to tionalists. St. Joan was a Nationalist before there were Nations. Blessed be 'public-minded-we want our CathoRobert Bellarmine said all there is to lics to endeavour to influence their into Christianity be said about democracy introduce before any to party their policy. Can anyone deny that ordinary worldling dared to be a dethere is a lack of the essentials of mocrat, and the Christian Social ReIs there form was in activity before any of Christianity in our politics? not a necessity for the religious educa- these quarrels of Fascists and BolsheIs that not a viks appeared." tion of our children? :
"All is in the State and nothing human
exists and nothing has value outside the State." ---Mussolini. of democracy towards the orderliness of an absolute dictatorship: it is a
temptation and should be treated as such. We become wise through obedience to truth: we become good through obedience to law: but absolutism destroys truth and abrogates law. There is a type of machine which leaves to man only a sub-human, uncreative share in
the business of making: the absolutist State is such a machine. There is a danger, now, that a revulsion from Fascism, motivated more by political emotion than by philosophical or religious principle, may result, in an indiscriminate acceptance of the asIf there sumptions of individualism
THE SHOP FOR BETTER SERVICE. Any goods sent to country not satisfactory we pay freight. Our motto is: "We have it; we will get it, or it cannot be had."
christian essential?
.
.
.
-
DRAPER
ELUISINI
215 William St.,
Registered at the G.P.O., Perth, for transmission by post as a newspaper.
Perth