OBSERVANCE OF SABBATH

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27011, 10 April 1953, Page 3

OBSERVANCE OF SABBATH

TOLERANCE URGED IN SCOTLAND EFFECT ON TOURIST TRADE (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, April 9. A plea to Scottish churches for “a little more tolerance” towards the needs of tourists on Sundays was made in London by Mr James Maxwell, chairman of the London committee of the Scottish Council.

He said many British and foreign tourists in Scotland had complained about the restrictions of a Scottish Sunday. “Tourism is now the fifth most important industry in Scotland, but the country will never reap the full benefits of the tourist industry until full use is made of the existing facilities and . until there are more modern hotels in the key centres. Closer co-operation is needed in all branches of the industry in every part of the country. “Further progress will be difficult unless the churches show a more tolerant attitude towards the tourist on a Scottish Sunday. I am not asking for a Continental Sabbath, nor am I suggesting that the Scottish Sabbath be turned into a day of riotous pleasure. I do, however, appeal to the leaders of all Scottish churches to relax the more stern customs which mar our great country in many foreign visitors’ eyes. “The nonsense of having to be a bona fide traveller in order to get a drink should be abolished, even if it encourages thousands to take an excursion on Sunday down Loch Lomond. And is sea bathing on Sunday a crime? It is so, I regret to say, in parts of the Highlands, where it is frowned upon in no uncertain manner. “Why should a visiting motorist,be held up on his journey by a ferry which does not operate on Sunday on a major road through the northwestern highlands? There are some essential services which should be maintained every day of the week. “I have no wish to enter into any debate on how Sunday should be kept, but I do suggest a little more tolerance in certain quarters.”