SUNDAY NIGHT’S CONCERT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 October 1932, Page 11

SUNDAY NIGHT’S CONCERT

(To the Editor) Sir,—With much of the criticism of this most regrettable occurrence, which has appeared in your columns I find myself in hearty agreement. Amur correspondents have discussed it from various viewpoints, but it seems to me its most serious aspect has so far escaped notice.

Reference lias been made to the law of the matter, but I presume that here as in most British communities, Sunday entertainments with a charge for admission are illegal. Apparently as in the present instance tlie City authorities can permit such entertainment, if they think well to do so.

The Mayor is reported to have consented because of the “laudable” object of the entertainment. Other correspondents have stripped the mask from the “laudable” and exposed the proposal in the shame of its nakedness. Four shillings out of every £ of net proceeds for unemployment funds. •Sixteen shillings for the promoters!! Perhaps those who would stress that there were “sacred” items in the programme and that a church choir took a prominent part in the concert had best be left to the judgment of conscience.

“The English Bible” and “The English •Sunday” are two vitally important parts of our great national heritage, and wherever British people have gone these two. phrases and the facts that lie behind them have been interwoven with all that is best in the life of the community. Over the portals of our great Empire let “Ichabod” be written when tlie “English Bible” and the “English Sunday” become obsolete factors in our national ilfc. I believe that the Great War with its unspeakable horror was permitted by God as a chastisement to nations that had forgotten Him and forsaken His way. Fourteen years have passed since the Armistice, but repentance has not come and I believe that the present world wide distress is again tlie voice of God to the nations. I believe the days in which we live are fraught with tremendous possibilities for national good and prosperity or national evil and disaster. Earth’s wisest men are ascribing varying causes for to-day’s conditions. At times in some degree the clouds seem to be lifting, but the mail does not liye who can see the way through and out of the present darkness. Is it not time to seek the Lord and His way? I therefore record a very respectful and very emphatic protest against the action of the Mayor and the Council in allowing Sunday night’s concert and express the hope that they will not repeat so grave an error of judgment.— I am etc.,

FRANK VARLEY. Nelson, 12th October.