Ulster — the real issue
We in Britain and many throughout the English-speaking world have been appalled at the recent conflict between opposing parties in Northern Ireland. The loss of life and injury suffered in the street fighting, the great destruction of property by fire, and the fact that thousands have been rendered homeless, has given rise to serious anxiety on the part of all right-thinking people. It is of course accepted that the contending parties are the Protestants and the Roman Catholic minority in Ulster. It may well be that those who have been claiming certain civil rights have a case. Their claims are now being attended to by the Ulster Government. But in our view, although all the claims of the Civil Rights organisation shall be met, the real issue in Ulster from the Roman Catholic side will not thereby be settled. It has now been made abundantly clear to the world and to the British Government and the Government of Ulster, that an end to Partition is the only event that will satisfy the Roman Catholics of a militant character and as such are supported by the Government of the Irish Republic in Dublin. The Government of Ulster can give as many concessions as they see fit to the R.C. minority, but the ceaseless activities of the Irish Republic to bring Ulster into one united Ireland under the Roman Catholic Government of Dublin, will continue unabated. The Irish Republican Army, an unlawful organisation, may be condemned by the Prime Minister of the Irish Republic in words. Where has there been any action to suppress their activities during the recent troubles in Ulster? The Protestants of Ulster, the vast majority of the people, elected to remain a part of Great Britain under the British Constitution and Protestant throne. This they obtained, although with difficulty, in face of political pressures, but under their great Protestant and political leader, Sir Edward Carson, they won the day. They won the day, to remain as they were, a part of Britain. While the Roman Catholics of the South cut adrift from Britain and from allegiance to the Protestant Throne of Britain, to become really enemies of Britain and enemies of Ulster. As yet, we think the political parties at Westminster perceive the legality, justness and constitutional standing of the Government of Ulster. To interfere with this fundamentally, would in the opinion of some give rise to a real war-like situation as the Protestant majority and their democratically elected members of Parliament are determined to retain the status quo. And this is what we uphold and support wholeheartedly from a Christian, Protestant, and constitutional point of view. May the King of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ, defend Ulster, involving the Christian and Protestant religion. We could write much more on this vital matter, but the above will suffice for the present.
Keep Britain out of the Common Market
We were relieved to read (at the time of writing) that at the Trades Union Congress to be held in September, a campaign to keep Britain out of the European Common Market was to issue a motion to be debated before this Congress. We understand that the T.U.C. always insisted that the cost and possible hardship to the public should be most carefully examined beforehand. Safeguards regarding Britain’s sovereignty are a vital consideration. It has been said by members of the T.U.C.: “We are absolutely satisfied that there is now a major body of public opinion opposed to Britain entering and this matter should be the subject of a public debate.” These words express the truth as far as we know, and it is disappointing to learn that the leaders of the three political parties in the House of Commons are in favour of Britain entering Europe. We will be interested to learn what becomes of the debate on this matter before the Trades Union Congress, although the debate will undoubtedly ignore the religious aspects behind and involved in becoming part of the Common Market.
Alcoholics in Scotland
Prior to an international Conference on alcohol and alcoholics, held in Glasgow on 17th September 1969, it was stated that there are half-a-million alcoholics in Britain and 80,000 of these are in Scotland. It was also stated that about 5% of people drinking today would become alcoholics. Speakers from several nations were to give papers on this problem. We wonder what American representatives at this Conference think of the boastful manner in which distillers in Scotland refer to the large quantities of whisky regularly exported to America and how they lament at times over the limited sales obtained in Britain. Annual Reports of Distiller Companies, setting forth the business state of this “industry” sometimes cover a whole page of a daily newspaper, as if this information was of the greatest public interest, when this business is responsible for providing a commodity capable of bringing intense misery to multitudes all over the world. Certainly, men and women who ruin themselves with drink, in becoming drunkards and alcoholics, bear their own responsibility for their excesses. In addition to established public houses, there has been a rapid growth in the number of clubs which are being opened under different names all over the country; and these are principally drinking clubs. It is well-known that many such premises are financed by ‘big business’ purely to push and increase the sales of intoxicating liquor. And the cash returns are the main concern of course and not the health and happiness of those who are encouraged to drink as a regular habit. Millions of money are spent on advertising. It seems that with all the taxation on drink, that large profits are being reaped. The people of this nation, as elsewhere, are spending stupendous sums on what they consume of strong drink. Fellowship at the drinking party is the fashion. Fellowship in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is becoming to an increasing number, something that does not belong in their world and which is quite unreal and completely foreign to them. In cases, those who attended the House of God on the Lord’s Day when children, can now be seen entering the drinking club on that day. This is the practice of many women as well as men; and many of the young are following in this downward drift along the broadway that leads to everlasting destruction. It will be interesting to learn what the aforesaid Conference suggests and recommends to prevent so much alcoholism. Hospitals are becoming more and more burdened with patients who are alcoholics. Some obtain a cure. The prevention and cure is to be found in the glorious gospel of the blessed God entering the heart of the sinner by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Death on the Roads
Officials are concerned, and rightly so, with whether the numbers killed on the roads during any specific month are up or down. They have been doing all they can to lessen the terrible loss of life and injury suffered by road accidents. Nevertheless, whether the numbers killed and injured are down or up, the numbers are really staggering when one reads them calmly in the press. In June of this year, for instance, a total of 61 people, including 13 children, were killed on Scottish roads. The number of people seriously injured in road accidents during the same month was 809. When we think, even a little, of the implications of these figures, then the fact of many homes cast into grief and sorrow and persons incapacitated for life, comes to mind. All and sundry who drive cars have a moral obligation lying upon them to be careful, cautious and concerned habitually for their own safety and that of others. Professing Christians who drive must surely go out on the road everyday with a sense of responsibility to God and in relation to themselves and their neighbour. And although the car is a most efficient and comfortable blessing in divine providence and useful also in connection with the Church of Christ, yet there is an increasing number of people who are becoming apprehensive and nervous as to travelling on our roads by car. The duty of the Christian driver is clear.
Increase in Divorces in Scotland
It is now reported that the divorce rate in Scotland has more than doubled in nine years and runs at one divorce for every nine marriages. It is statated in an official report that fully three-quarters of the 17 Judges’ work in the Court of Sessions is involved with divorce. The dissolving of so many marriages tells a lamentable tale of personal lack of forbearance, animosities, lack of natural affection and the widespread transgression of the law of God which declares: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” This, no doubt, is the state of affairs anent divorce throughout Britain. It appears that “liberal” men are getting their way in the Houses of Parliament when Bills for making divorce easier are being so strongly supported. Such laws are only fitted to undermine the institution of marriage and to render it, in the view of man, a very loose contract between husband and wife. This can have serious effects as to the national morals.
Crime and Affluence
Mr Cecil King, former Chairman of International Publishing Corporation, speaking in London recently, made some pertinent statements on the state of the nation. We do not know what religious affiliation, if any. Mr King has, but his views were to the point. He said that we had no leaders at the moment, in Britain, commanding general confidence and respect. He also stated that perhaps the most alarming problem confronting us at the present time was the rising tide of crime, particularly violent crime. “There never has been so much affluence as there is in this country now, but the incidence of crime is far greater,” he said. He observed that this can be attributed to what we call the permissive society. It is helpful to know that there are men in the midst of the business world who have sensible and clear views of the state of affairs morally and who are not afraid to make their views known.