STATUE AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 237, 6 October 1936, Page 10

STATUE AGAIN.

CHURCH OPINIONS.

DISCUSSION LAST EVENING

NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN,

Further discussion bn the subject of the nude statue on the Domain gates at the annual meeting of the Council of Christian Congregations last evening ended in the council deciding to take no further action in the matter. The question was raised by Pastor Wm. Campbell, who moved: "That the council considers the nudity of the statue of the athlete recently erected at the Domain gates to be offensive to a considerable portion of citizens, and deleterious to the morals of passers-by, and requests the City Council to take suitable steps to modify it"; and "That a committee of interested members of the council, with power, to add to their number® be appointed and empowered to obtain support for the resolution." For the Sake of Young People. "When the gates are officially opened, as I understand they will be, 'this matter will again come forcibly before the public," stated l-Mr. Campbell. "Those who live at a distance from the Domain cfre inclined to regard the issue as dead, but there are many passing the gates daily who regard it as a very live question. It is especially important for the sake of the young people who pass in and out of the gates, and who are likely to have their hot young blood stirred by the sight."

The seconder of the motion, Mr. T. L. Calev, said that it was absurd that a man should be arrested and fined for indecent exposure while a nude statue was allowed to stand in a public street. It would make for immorality and the spread of disease, the prevalence 01" which was appalling. Drawing attention to the motion of disapproval passed by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, Mr. Caley said that there were many people who would follow a lead in protesting. The president, the Rev. J. A. Thomson, stated that after the last meeting the council had referred the matter to the executive, the executive had set up a special sub-committee to obtain the opinions of church leaders and educationists.

"I have to report that I have been in touch with the heads of the various denominations, including Archbishop Averill, the moderator of the Presbyterian Church, the chairman of the Methodist conference and the principals of various schools," stated Mr. Thomson. None of these felt that it would be wiso to take any action. They felt that to take any action would only open Up the subject for further public discussion. Having found out thesa views, I decided not to take the matter any further. As we cannot expect the whole-hearted cooperation of the Anglican, Presbyterian or Methodist Churches or the headmasters of the principal schools, anything this council can attempt would be futile." Resolutions Withdrawn. An amendment that as a result of ,tlie president's report, no further action be taken, was then moved. Seconding the amendment, the Rev. E. D. Patchett said that he did not think it wise to re-open the question and give further publicity to "this unfortunate statue." That had been his attitude all along. Asking permission to withdraw his motions, Mr. Campbell said that, if the council would take no action, others were waiting to do so. Both motions and also the amendment were thereupon withdrawn.