ART UNIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 19032, 29 August 1925, Page 9

ART UNIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Tho General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church usually manages to 11 ml some evil, imaginary or otherwise, in our midst which it considers merits the whole-hearted condemnation of that bodv. A few years ago it was a tirade against that literature winch gives information regarding sox and sox problems, wdth particular condemnation meted out to a courageous attempt by a New Zealand woman waiter to awaken the public conscience regarding the prevajonce, character, and needed attention which the venereal disease problem called for. The fact that these gentlemen and others in the church had done, and will do, absolutely nothing to mitigate this growing evil in our midst (other than a preaching of sermons and general condemnation of evil which precisely those who need it most do not hear and certainly do not heed) docs not deter them from passing solemn resolutions against honest elfort to improve human conditions. Last year it was dancing which camo in for special attention hv this body. This year the prevalence of the gambling evil m our midst has called forth strong comment from the General Assembly, ft is only following oast precedent for the Assembly to make mountains out of molehills; blit when it says, in respect of art unions, that people 11 are led astray by it to their personal injury and the harm of the commonwealth ” it goes a little too far. In what way and m what degree the having of an occasional art union ticket is going to injure the individual, and where the country is harmed inasmuch as such art unions are usually tor the purpose ol improving grounds, etc . it is difficult to see. One wishes that these gentlemen had given iu detail just what evil follows iu the wake ol buying art union tickets. The Assembly says that the buying of art union tickets is •' not doing anything for their improvement, but tail to slate just in what way the habit is causing the deterioration of the people.”—l am, etc., E.W.F, August 28.