CR HAYWARD'S EXPLANATION.

Evening Star, Issue 17548, 31 December 1920, Page 12

CR HAYWARD'S EXPLANATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Cr Hayward's explanation as to his "somersault" regarding Sunday night; concerts does not convince me. It appears as if he is endeavoring to draw a red herring across the scent. Let me state the" facts again. The St. Kilda Band made an application to the City Council to allow the band to give Sunday night concerts. The council granted the band's application, and Cr Hayward voted for it. Following on that, amotion was moved to rescind the previous resolution, and a deputation of clergymen and some citizens waited on the council, putting forth their arguments against Sunday night. concerts, said arguments being so weighty that they moved Cr Hayward to such a degree "that he somersaulted. Now, the crux of the whole question, from what I can gather from Cr Hayward's letter, is.that he objects to Sunday being commercialised. I have it on good authority that the St. Kilda Band when it made its application did not ask the council for permission to charge the public a definite price of admission. It was not therefore a strictly commercial operation or undertaking, as" Cr Hayward would lead your readers to believe." Ad-; mission, I understand, was to be by silver -:oin, as is usual all over the island where Sunday night concerts are held. To get at Cr Hayward's real mind on this matter, will he state definitely if he T .s opposed to Sunday night concerts providing no stated charge is made, but admission is by voluntary contribution—i.e., silver coin? Reading into his letter pf explanation, that is what I gather he is in favor of. Cr Hay ward's opposition to commercial undertakings on Sundays is laughable. Does he oppose the trams running on Sundays? Does he oppose the boats running to Broad Bay? Does he oppose taxi drivers charging a fixed fee on Sundays? Tf he opposes these and many other Sunday undertakings I could mention, then surely he wants the world to stand still. What constitutes a day of rest to Cr Hayward does not appeal to me. Don't bring the picture theatres into this controversy. They have not asked for permission to show pictures on Sundays. No doubt when they do Cr Hayward will favor their application being granted, provided the-takings are handed over to the council to Macadamise the City streets. Cr Hayward's generosity comes rather late and falls somewhat flat. The St. Kilda bandsmen can look after themselves. They know their friends, and I am assured they will not allow this matter to drop. | The suggestion that a-"Brighter Dunedin League " should be formed is a good one - " The old order changeth, giving place to_ new." There are thousands of people in Dunedin who do not go to church; nevertheless they are as truly Christian as the churchgoer and.as spiritually inclined. Thousands do not believe m stuffy churches and. dismal sermons (or Sunday night concerts, for that matter), but dehcht to be out drinking in the fresh air, basking in God's sunshine, taking advantage bathing their bodies in the sea water, and thereby keeping their bodies clean and their minds pure. Nobody wishes to interfere with the churchgoer. The Church exists for those who wish to patronise it. It is their form of Sunday pleasure. Why, therefore, deny the vast majority of non-churchgoers theirs? Again I challenge Crs Hayward, Shacklock, and those who voted in favor of the motion to prevent Sunday night concerts to put the issue to the electors. I am glad Cr Hayward is not ashamed of his name. Neither am I, but I regret I must still remain anonymous. I "am rather modest in these matters, and have no wish for publicity.—l am, etc., P.B December 30.