Although written for a Catholic audience, there seems to be little that a Protestant or humanist would disagree with in principle. It urges sympathy and support for groups such as Aborigines and migrants, with some consideration being given to working class groups. One the international scene it champions the cause of Third World countries such as India, and a fairer distribution of the world’s resources. It could be termed moderately radical in that it paints a picture of the above elements as oppressed groups, but it does not offer a Marxist or Communist solution. Nor does it suggest taking up arms to remedy deficiencies by force. The model way out for these difficulties is that of peaceful transformation of thinking, by first being aware, of the way in which society oppresses certain groups, then working to ameliorate their lot.

The principles indeed are noble and idealistic. One of the remedies, prescribed in the· book is 'increase the capacity of poor people to exercise power'. Even though the poor ye have always with you' (a phrase which is not mentioned in the book) we are reminded that the Beatitudes favor the poor. Secondly, 'change the conditions which produce poverty' which entails denouncing the privileges of others: 'by speaking up against the rich, by claiming a just re-distribution of goods, by ceasing to protect ourselves in comfortable suburban isolation, we are likely to be accused of subversion, of being a communist or trouble­maker: The more identified with the poor we become in our style of living the more we know from within why Jesus was sent to the cross But this tends to de­emphasise what the poor and other groups can do to help themselves, by collective action.

The descriptions tend to over-emphasise the agonies suffered by migrants. Some of them have attained high academic positions in society, often migrant students have proved more successful in school examinations means than all of them Australian-born students By no means all of them are oppressed, victimised or exploited — some are rich and powerful. To mention only two examples, Australia has become changed by Italian pizza houses and Chinese restaurants, both of which appear to be doing good business. Sympathy for the oppression visited on some migrants need not blind us to their achievements.

Certain groups are left out of the picture in this book. Homosexuals, for example, are an oppressed group, but do not receive mention. Furthermore, because this is a Catholic book, there is no mention of the role birth control may play. in lessening the high birth rates and low life expectancy many Third World countries experience. A reduced population means more food for all and higher living standards. But the major burden of responsibility on changing conditions in overseas countries must rest on the government of those overseas countries. They cannot be absolved of responsibility.

This is a book full of noble principles and has its value in schools; because of its Christian emphasis, and the topics it includes for discussion provide good debating points. But it may tend to overlook the impact of impersonal forces such as unemployment and inflation which act to reduce the life chances of all not just sections such as migrants and Aborigines. The tragedy is that often young people who have suffered the burden of unemployment, so that at the very moment that idealistic youth seek to serve society, it has no place for them. But such unemployment tends to comprise mainly the unskilled or semi­skilled. In this respect, one political remedy not mentioned is to campaign for ,the greater deployment of TAFE funds to improve the number of skilled persons in the community. Not only concerned Christian groups, but teacher unions have-a part to play in that.