PERMITS REFUSED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 52, 2 March 1929, Page 11

PERMITS REFUSED.

GOOD FRIDAY PICTURES. COUNCIL CHANGES POLICY. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. The City Council at its ordinary meeting changed its policy in regard to the granting of permission for the showing of moving pictures and for other entertainments on Good Friday, and this year be no such entertainments. The Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, said that in the past the council had granted permits on condition that the programmes were eubjected to the censorship of the Town Clerk. That officer had advised him that the censorship was purely a formality, for no special programmes were available, and in the end the usual programmes were shown. It had been represented ti hint by several people that *nch enterainments should not be allowed on Good Friday when none were permitted on Anzac Day. The question was whether Good Friday was not a more sacred day to a great many people than Anzae Day. In any case, would it be My great sacrifice for Wellington to go without picture and other entertainments on that one day? Councillor Luckie said that there was the difference that Anzac Day was prescribed b.T statute as in the nature of a Sunday in all respects, and was so treated; Good Friday was not. He had never heard of any complaint in the past from the jrreat body of the people. To many Good Friday was a holiday more than a sacred day, and picture shows, j he thought, provided a moderate and generally inexpensive form of entertainment, particularly should the day be wet. The Mayor repeated that he had made ths point fcimply because to two great •ections of the people Good Friday was milch more sacred than Anzac Day. For the council to endeavour to kjislate as proposed, said Councillor Ueinple, was playing with fire, and would btvery likely to lead to a good deal of trouble. How could the council separate the picture show from excursions, picnics, °r even the use of the city reserves. The Mayor moved that permission should not be given for and allied entertainments on Good I riday. Councillor Hugpins seconded the motion. Councillor H. Burn said he would "flpport the motion provided that the wuncil refused the right to play bowls, tennis, cricket, and all other games on Good Friday, but not otherwise. The council would certainly have o •fop golf at Berharopore, tennis at Day s ®*y, and all other games on ci y reserves, said Councillor Luckie. . A division was taken, and resulted in *n even vote, 7 for and 7 against. In® W*yor gave his casting vote against e Panting of permits.