SUNDAY CONCERTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 45, 22 August 1944, Page 6

SUNDAY CONCERTS

DEBATE ON PRINCIPLE

The question of Sunday evening entertainments -was discussed by members of the Petone Borough Council last evening. The Junior Labour League had asked for permission to hold a Sunday concert in aid of patriotic funds, and Miss M. Gough had applied for like permission in aid of the Aged and Needy Christmas Cheer Fund.

Councillor J. Huggan moved that as the obiects were worthy permission be granted, and Councillor R. A. Anderson seconded the motion, provided no payment was made to the artists. Councillor V. Jacobson said that as usual he was going to oppose the granting of permission for any Sunday concerts. No cause was worthy enough to warrant a breaking-down of the principle of keeping Sunday as a day of rest. One of the things which had characterised the British people from other nations was the keeping of the Sabbath. It was said that concerts did not interfere with the hours of worship but that had nothing to do with it. The whole of Sunday had been set apart as a day of rest. As often as these applications came forward, so often would he oppose them in the interests of national righteousness. If people wanted to help there were six days in which they could do so, and he suggested that the Junior Labour League* which had access to a hall should help by donating the proceeds of some of its dances to the cause. "I'd rather be taxed for patriotic funds than give up the principle of the Sunday day of rest," he added.

Councillor J. T. Carr said he had previously supported Sunday concerts but he was prepared to go a long way with Councillor Jacobson. On this occasion he could see no reason to support the request. The Mayor (Mr. H. Green) said there had been a certain amount of moral laxity among young people, due no doubt to the war, and it would be good for them to have a little discipline. Young people should be asked to devote some of the money they raised at dances to these causes.

Councillor K. London said he was glad it had been pointed out that there were alternative ways of helping patriotic funds, which were very important. Just because we have in the past granted permission, people were taking the easy way. Councillor J. Huggan, in his reply, said he could not. understand the attitude of those wtio said they saw no merit in the requests. It was not encouraging .the breaking of the Sabbath; he would much prefer to see young people in a hall than the "group Sunday concerts" which could be seen in doorways any Sunday night. He strongly supported organised games on Sunday in preference to haying boys b/3aking and entering premises on Sunday. Were the upholders of Sunday going to apply their views to gas and electric undertakings, and were they going to insist that the cows should not be milked on Sunday? The whole attitude of those who opposed the motion flavoured of dictatorship. The motion to grant the requests was defeated. Those who voted for it were Councillors J. Huggan, R. A. Anderson, A. G. Steffensen, and R. Fox, and those against, the Mayor. Councillors V. Jacobson, J. C. Martin, K. London, and J. T. Carr.