SOCIAL ENGLAND

Northern Advocate, 7 July 1926, Page 4

SOCIAL ENGLAND

SECOND EDITION

CONTRARY OPINIONS.

“PAGANISM IS RIFE.”

“HEALTHIER THAN EVER.”

(Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, July (J.

.An extraordinary divergence of views on modern tendencies is shown in two declarations at conferences in different parts of England. The Rev Harry James, in his presidential address at the annual Methodist Conference, in an all-embracing attack on present-day England said: “Paganism is rife. Sunday ’ cinemas and Sunday games are multiplying with unblushing effronterj’v The everwidening curse of gambling is being stimulated by 'the Press, encouraged by officialdom, jmd often connived at by magistrates. Fiction is steeped in sectilarity. The Press is serving' up court garbage. England can only be saved by a return of sound doctrines.”

A.s a counterblast comes the presidential address at the Royal Sanitary Institute Congress by Sir George Newman, Chief Medical Officer of theMinistry of Health and Board of Education. He .said: “England" is healthier than ever, chiefly because of the week-end habit of surf-bathing. There is a big Increase in sobriety, improvement in diet and a steady trend towards simplicity and commonsense in dress. People are more cleanly. There is wider appreciation of games and the open air. The daily press is playing an invaluable part in giving publicity to everything designed to improve health and brighten life.”—A. and N.Z. * ,