DANCING DURING SOCIALS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 29 November 1945, Page 7

DANCING DURING SOCIALS

METHODIST SYNOD’S APPROVAL DISCRETION SOUGHT FOR CHURCH BOARDS A recommendation “that the Methodist conference authorise church trust boards to permit acts of dancing being included in the social programmes of church societies at functions held on Methodist Church property, when the local quarterly meetings approve” was passed by the North Canterbury Methodist Svnod (reports "The Press”). The Welfare of the Church Committee made the recommendation, acting on a Dominion conference minute that since certain churches desired to establish youth and social centres as part of their rehabilitation policy, and to regularise a practice already countenanced in many churches, authority be given trust boards to allow acts of dancing on church property. The minute added that the practice was now approved by the Methodist Church in England. The committee stated that the recommendation was included in its report by a majority of eight votes to six. Those in favour held that the majority of young people danced nowadays, and that many found a considerable part of their social life outside the church. There was widespread dissatisfaction with the standard of Bible Class socials. The British conference. at least as a war measure, had altered its historic attitude and had permitted dancing on church property. Those opposed to the recommendation considered ballroom dancing wrong in itself, apart from its associations. that drinking and sexual immorality were so bound up with dances that many young people could only attend with the loss of moral and spiritual fervour, and that ballroom dancing was an emotional stimulus rather than an outlet. The difficulties of organisation and control would “make the running of respectable dances almost an impossibility." Those in opposition concluded with the opinion that marked differences on the subject would cause friction and unhappiness. Concluding its report the committee emphasised that the passing of the resolution would not mean unrestricted dancing but only its inclusion in social programmes when approved by local church courts. When the Rev. J. Denni presented the report he moved that synod go into committee to permit more free discussion. The Rev. Raymond Dudley said he did not like the idea of going into committee so lightly. The church sometimes lamented its lack of publicity in the newspapers but when anything newsy and qf general interest came up synod “clamped down on the press.” Amid cries of “hear, hear,” Mr Dudley added: “We should free the press from these fetters.” A delegate suggested that particular points might be taken in committee, but that the general discussion should be in open meeting The Rev. A. N. Scotter said the synod did not want to hide anything, but experience had shown that an eloquent speaker on one side of the argument might be reported fully and his opinions taken by the public as the mind of the church; before the matter haa finally been put to the decision of the Dominion conference.

The motion to go into committee was carried by a two-thirds majority, and after two hours’ discussion the recommendation of the Welfare of the Church Committee was supported by 40 votes to 15.