GOLF ON SUNDAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 300, 18 November 1937, Page 10

GOLF ON SUNDAY.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL CRITICISED. METHODIST MOTION. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 17. The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, was outspokenly criticised at the North Canterbury Methodist Synod this afternoon for “participating in a golf tournament” on a recent Sunday. After a discussion in which several members expressed strong views on the matter and the Synod refused to amend the motion (proposed by Rev. W. A. Burley) to refer to “those in authority” instead of specifically to the Gov-ernor-General, the following resolution was passed unanimously:— This Synod- records its conviction that Sunday is a day primarily for spiritual refreshment through Christian fellowship. It deplores the present tendency to use the Lord’s Day for amusement purposes and it is grieved to know that on a recent Sunday His Excellency the Governor-General countenanced this misuse by -participating in a golf tournament. AVe urge all our Methodist people to use Sunday for the culture of the spiritual and to remember it is the Lord’s Day. “I think we have a right to criticise the action of the representative of the King when he flouts Christiah opinion by opening a golf course on Sunday. AVe cannot compel everyone to observe Sunday, but we expect the GovernorGeneral to set an example,” Mr Burley said. A member said that itj was not the opening of a golf course but a Returned Soldiers’ Association tournament.

<r l don’t see much difference between going into the country and going after a little white bal land going out motoring, and taking the children for an outing,” said Rev. H. L. Blnmires, adding that there was a difference when contests were held and that he was deeply grieved to see His Excellency countenancing the matter by taking part. Mr H. M. Hamilton: Tt may be that the Governor-General will have logical reasons and before - a great body of Methodists like this denounces him he should be asked for an explanation. Rev. H. Ryan (district secretary) said that the King could not be imagined doing such a thing in England and that it would not be out of place respectfully to remind the GovernorGeneral that he was the representative of the King and ought not to do so. Mr Blamiros said that the tournament was a private party. The chairman (Rev. Clarence Eaton) then advocated reconsideration-of the wording of the motion, saying that there were fellow Christians who did not regard golf on Sunday as harmful. A niember: Do you call them Christians, Mr Chairman ? Yes, we have to be charitable and broadminded.

The chairman’s suggestion .was not accepted.