SUNDAY CONCERTS, &c.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 368, 28 May 1903, Page 5

SUNDAY CONCERTS, &c.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — The columns of a secular paper are never, as far as I know, open for the discussion of purely religious questions. Consequently, I do not wish to trespass on forbidden ground, and treat anything from a religious standpoint. But when the moral sense of a considerable section of the community is hurt, surely you will afford it a chance of at least protesting against the cause. Our authorities in New Zealand have seen fit to place considerable restrictions upon us with regard to the observation of Sunday, and this without interfering in any way with freedom of religious thought. People are not allowed to follow their trades or professions on Sundays as on week-days, unless in case of necessity. If they attempt to do so, various penalties are enforced, some ef them considerable. Shopkeepers, mining companies, waggoners are all subject to the same rule in this respect. Why is this ? Partly, because it has been recognised that it would be prejudicial to the best interests of the colony to make every day alike. And, partly, out of deference to the wishes of the majority of New Zealanders, whose feelings would be hurt if Sunday were to become altogether secularised. Now, Sir, it is a pity that last factor should be overlooked in our relationships with each other as townspeople of Alexandra. Frequently our Sunday rest has been broken in upon by such things as golf, and skating, and football. These are, we freely admit, healthy and legitimate recreations, and no right-minded person would say anything against them as such. But when indulged in on a Sunday to the pain of a very large proportion of our local residents, is it not a different thing altogether I And if not actually unlawful, is it not at least contrary to the spirit of the law 1

But it was not merely to protest against these oft-repeated grievances that I take up mjjgpen on this occasion. Another quite recently been brought notice. I refer to the action of the "Council in letting their hall for a (Sunday evening concert. Only last week a deputation waited upon the Mayor of Dunedin to protest against this, very thing. Now, Sir, against providing the public with sacred music, and the very best of its kind, I would not dream of raising any objection. But when our authorities sanction money-making on a Sunday evening, it should not be allowed to pass unnoticed. To keep within the law, uo chaise was made for admission, but the advertisement announcing the concert Wassigniflcantly worded :—" Admission silver coin. Those patronising the front seats are expected to contribute not less than Is ; back seats not lessjjbhan 6d." And I submit, Sir, that if Ii or anyone else, had the face to walkiato the hall without subscribing the expected amount, I would be singled Jput, to say the least, as ineligible %> listen to the concert. I also submit this is tantamount to making a charge, and the principle involved is a wrong one, and should not be encouragedgby our local authorities. If selling goeds for money on a Sunday be illegaljland.punishable, why should expectingjpayment of a specified sum in returiftfor a programme of music be I do not know, in. the present case* Tvhat sort of music or entertainment was may have heen all that could be desired; but tjfcat is not the point at issue. I maintain that the principle involved is the same in both cases mentioned, and that such proceedings should not be allowe''. The pretext of the function being for a charitable object, so often pleaded in mitigation of the offence, does not apply in this case. The public of this community will ever be ready to help a needy case, and, as has been shown hitherto, will not allow the Alexandra school fnnds to run short. But there really is no need for our Sundays to be interfered with or dese-' crated either by sports or moneymaking affairs. lam certain that our Council will be echoing the wishes of the greater portion of the burgesses when they do all in their power to make such things impracticable. We must surely have regard for underlying principles, and not merely for surface opinions—l am, Sir, Tours, &c '> .. <* J. A. HbSKING. Alexandra, 26th May, 1903.