MODERN AMUSEMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 March 1926, Page 11

MODERN AMUSEMENTS.

ATTITUDE’ OF THE CHURCHES

WARM; SUPPORT EOißj DANCING

“We are prone to condemn in a wholesale manner,’ ’said the Rev. R. G. Cbats, a Church, of England Minister, in addressing the Auckland Council of Christian Congregations on the subject, of “Present Day Amusements,” reports the Herald. The Rev. R. O. Herron occupied the, chair. Mr. Coats dwelt upon various amusements indulged in by the modern youth and declared that in every instance there was a great amount of exaggeration in the. deprecation of those who did not know the facts of cases criticised. “There have been shrieks and yells about Dixieland, and we have been told all about the terrible things that happen there, and what goes on in alleged upstair rooms. I can only say it is all a huge fabrication. I have I;sen there not once but often, and not once have L seen anything that is alleged to take place. The establishment is carefully managed and none could find any fault with what goes on. I say this after having made it my business to inquire into many things on the spot which others have not had the opportunity of doing. “Just because the old method of dancing lias changed we condemn the whole thing as bad. The only things wrong to-day, to| my mind, are the absolute collapse of the chaperonage system and the dancing of two partners together all night. I recognise I am on thorny ground in referring to dancing, but I am nob afraid of the thorns. I love dancing myself, although I cannot say I am very much taken with the modern jazz. P'eople have made some terribly exaggerated -statements about Auckland’s dance halls. I have gone round the various halls ,a.nd tried to find cut if such things went on, but

absolutely failed. Jam telling the honest truth aud 1 think we should be careful to isav nothing wo cannot substantiate fully.”

Referring to the stage, Mr. Coats said that a. few years ago there was a demand for such plays as those of Gilbert and Sullivan, and these could well be revived to the satisfaction of everyone. Time had moved on and now all sorts of problem plays were presenting situations which although real in modern life, were fortunately not general. Because of this the Little Theatre Society had been formed in Auckland with the object of presenting plays which would not be a huge .success on the ordinary stage, but which nevertheless were recognised as standards and even as classics.

Many declared that, although the theatres themselves were all light the lives of the players were questionable. This- lie denied, having had experience among theatricals and having been the member of an amateur society in Christchurch, all the members of which had since turned professional. The temptations' offered the actor were in no waygreater than those placed before the man engaged in another walk of life. One member of their amateur company had recently returned from Hollywood, the centre of the film industry, where immorality was supposed to he rife. He was the godliest man one could ever wish to meet, and had declared that- the reports, concerning Hollywood were grossly exaggerated. Sin and vice were no worse there than in Auckland itself.