SUNDAY CONCERTS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 45, 17 November 1936, Page 5

SUNDAY CONCERTS

Protest to Council

Signed by five Petone ministers of the Church, a strong protest against permission being granted for Sunday night concerts was received by the Petone Borough Council last night. The council decided to adhere to its practice of considering applications on their merits. At the same time the council received an application from the western queen carniwd committee of the Hutt Valley Lawn Tennis Sub-Association for permission to hold a Sunday night picture benefit. Permission was not granted. “We desire to point out and to deprecate the increasing practice of holding Sunday evening concerts in Petone," wrote the ministers. “Without wishing to be provocative, we feel it our duty to protest earnestly against the permission being granted, and to urge in the best interests of the community that concerts on Sundays be not allowed, for experience teaches us that they militate against the Christian observance of Sundav as a day of rest and worship. “While we sympathise with the motive for many of the concerts, as Christian leaders we do protest against the use of Sunday for holding (hem. However worthy the object, we suggest that the use of Sunday for the concerts docs not exalt the object in any way, while it does not give opportunity for the materialising of Sunday. We therefore urge that Sunday concerts be not permitted, and that other nights through the week be utilised for such events.” The mayor said that by resolution and practice the council had allowed Sunday concerts subject to the programmes being submitted for perusal b.v the mayor, and subject to no charge being made for admission. He further pointed out that the present application embraced a picture show. The council had not had to consider that aspect previously. Cr. J. C. Burns moved that the application be not granted. “No one can accuse me of being a wowser," he said, “but if a strong body like the Hutt Valley Lawn Tennis Sub-Association cannot keep the game going without resorting to Sumlay flight pictures, the association ought to <4ose down.” Dealing with the letter from the ministers, Cr. Burns moved that the' letter be “received” He saw no reason why the council should depart from its practice of dealing with applications on their merits.

Cr. W. H. Edwards seconded tlie motion, which was carried unanimously.