Pictures on Christmas Day

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 308, 17 December 1940, Page 6

Pictures on Christmas Day

City Council Rescinds Its Previous Decision

OPPOSITION BY EAIPLOYEES SAID TO HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN

By five votes to four, the Palmerston North City Council last night rescinded a resolution passed at its last meeting on the casting vote of the Alayor, refusing permission for the screening of pictures in the city on Christmas Day. Ihe discussion on the matter revealed no change of front by individual councillors, but this time those opposed to Christmas Day pictures had their ranks depleted by the absence of Cr. J. Hodgens i ALP., who was in Wellington. The matter came up before the council when Cr. D. F. Smillie moved to rescind the resolution passed a month ago. The position to-day, he said, was different from what it was when the council had made its decision. Since then tho workers who had signed the petition to the council asking that permission be not given, had changed their attitude and had withdrawn the petition. Christmas Day, Or. Gmil!i<added, was not a Sunday in the usual sense of the word; it should bo a day of rejoicing.

A few men sitting at the council table should not endeavour to dictate to tho public what they should or should not do on Christmas Day, said Cr. J. T. J. Heatley in seconding Cr. Smillie's proposal. If people wanted to go to the pictures, it was not the council’s job to endeavour to stop them.

Cr. W. G. Black said he believed the opposition of a section of the employees still stood. It appeared that the application by the theatre prorietors was not so much one of principle but one of convenience for them. The question was not one of amusement for anyone; it was simply a matter of profit. Tho theatre managers were frank enough to say that a big boxing match was being held in Palmerston North on Boxing Night and, fearing that their takings w'ould be considerably affected, asked to be allowed to make up for this by show ring on Christmas night. If Cr. Smillie contentions were right, then commercial houses could justifiably remain open on Christmas Day.

The present time, Cr. Black added, was not one for throwing away principles. New Zealand, along with the other countries of the British Commonwealth, was fighting slavery, paganism and evil, and to sacrifice sacred or traditional days would be to go against those principles we were fighting to defend.

Cr. W. B. Toiment also opposed the rescinding of the motion, saying he stood on the principle that, on Christmas Day, only really essential services should be working, and he did not think pictures were an essential service. He knew for a fact that some of the employees were not anxious to work on Christmas Day.

“Cases like these, although small, give us au opportunity of showing that we are prepared to defend the things ive are fighting for,” Cr. Tennent added. Cr. H. E. Townshend said he could not see any difference between pictures on Christmas Day and on Sunday. Only that night the council had given permission for the screening of a picture on a Sunday.

Cr. Black: Subject to censorship. Cr. Townshend: That will apply here,, too. “It is unfair to draw’ conclusions as Cr. Black lia3 done,” said Cr. G. Tremaine, “lie has stated that the proprietors want Christmas night to recompense them for the loss of taking.on Boxing Night. They say in thenletter to the council that they want to give service to the public. If the religious aspect is brought into the pic Cr. Tonnent is not consistent.’^ Rising to a point of order, Cr. Tennent said he had always taken the attitude that Sunday pictures should not be allowed. Cr. Tremaine: I moved at the works committee meeting that the screening of the picture ‘Convoy” should be per mitted on a Sunday, and Cr. Tennent moved as an amendment that a picture— Cr. Tennent: I was only correcting an error in the wording of the resolution. The Alayor (Mr. A. E. Alansford) agreed that the effect of Cr. Tennent amendment was only to correct the wording of the resolution. Cr. Tremaine: He voted for it. I can’t see there is any difference between voting for pictures on Sunday and voting for pictures on Christmas Day. Cr. Tennent: Remarks like those are unfair. When I didn’t vote against the resolution to-night, I thought it was no use my doing so. “I am going to oppose tho motion,” said the Alayor. “To me Christmas Day is not the same as a Sunday; Christmas Day is to me something very much more sacred, if it can be so, than Sunday. Every public statement I havo made particularly in recent years, has referred to the necessity for some spiritual foundation in the life of this and other countries. Many of us, particularly in public, have stated that we are fighting for the preservation of Christian civilisation, and on Christmas Day we are commemorating the One who was instrumental in introducing Christianity. I have ahvays opposed pictures oa Christmas Day aud will always oppose it. I am going to vote against the motion because I think w r e should prevent it if we can without in any waj spoiling tho enjoyment of otherß. ”

In reply, Cr. Smillie said some councillors had apparently forgotten that the council had given permission year. Apparently there had been a change of mind. Cr. Black: Also absentees.

Continuing Cr. Smillie said that he had as good a religious background as others, but w’here he came from, Christinas Day was nothing; the New Year was what the Scouts observed. In Pal-

merston North there were many whr had been brought up in the same uadi-

tion as himself. His business worked oa Christmas Day and so did other businesses. On the motion being put to the meeting it was carried, those voting for it being Crs. bmillie, Townshend, Tremaine, Heatley and Mouldey. Voting against it were the Mayor and Crs. Tennent, Black and G rigor. Carried also by the same majority wan a further resolution by Cr. ttmillie that permission be now granted for screening on Christmas Day in terms of ttie application made by the theatre proprietors—namely that no employee would be compelled to work against his wishes, that Christmas Day rates of pay would be paid to the employees and that the programmes would be subject to the council's approval.