A BISHOP ON SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 76, 1 April 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

A BISHOP ON SABBATH OBSERVANCE.

The Bishop of Eochester publishes the following letter, which he wrote to the builder of the new Kenningtoa Theatre, and also Mr Wallis's reply:—*

Bishop's House, Kennington Park, S.E., December 24, 1898.—Dear Sir,— I cannot feel myself excused from the duty of writing you an/expression of regret at the Sunday labour which, as I have recently become aware, has been going on for some time past at the theatre just about to be opened, close to my house. I l:now the difficulties of getting a contract finished to time. But just because they are so great and so constant, the danger to our Sunday is the greater. Once recognise Sunday work as a resource, and it will be a resource more and more constantly employed. It always seems to us as if. the one day more made all the difference; but we know that this is an illusion, and that if we had had a longer time there would have been just the same pressure at the end. 1 know also that you will have given ample remuneration to the workmen employed; and it may have been agreeable to them on this account to work. But here again is a thing which admits of indefinite extension. Men need defending against themselves, if we are not to lose the day of general release from work which is so priceless a benefit to an industrial society. It seems •to me that public opinion ought to help in the matter; and if I, as bishop, said nothing about a piece of work of a very prominent sort done close to me, it would be hard tosstya t y who had any duty anywhere to speak. I desire to say that I impute no blame whatever to the owner or manager of the theatre; and I feel sure that in your own case the pressure of what seemed necessity has been your only reason, though, as I have shown, I cannot think it a sufficient one. I should like to add that during the time of your swift and effective construction of this very handsome building I have had no experience of anything but good conduct on the part of your employees. Trusting that you will recognise the motive of my letter, and forgive its freedom, I am, yours very faithfully, (signed) EDW. EOFFEN. I reserve the right to publish what I have written. ■•■':.

To Walter Wallis, Esq.

Lincoln House, Ramsden Road, -Balham, S.W., January 5, 1899.—The Eight Rev. the Bishop of Rochester, Bishop's House, Kennington Park.— My Lord,—Your letter of the 24th ult. to hand. My works and office have been closed for a week, so you will understand why your lordship's letter has not been answered before, so please accept my apologies for delay, I can assure you in reply that I have the strongest objections to working my 'men on a Sunday, and do not do so otherwise than by the greatest urgency, over which no one has really any control, or can avoid, and have only had my men at work on Sundays but twice through the whole job, and then the most I had at work was 30, and I have had an average of about 270 men to work on this job from week to week. -I am strongly of the opinion that in no way does Sunday, work do any good, either front the financial pbliit of'view, or from any benefit to the men, as you cannot.obtain a fair day's work from the men, and, on the other hand, if they work on the Sunday they lose a day during the week. I also desire to say that my feelings in reference to Sunday work, also my practical opinion is precisely the same as that of your lordship. I am pleased, however, to hear from you that you have no fault to find with the conduct of my employees during the progress of the building.-I remain, your obedient servant (signed) WALIH-K WALLIS. : , ,