SPORT ON SUNDAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21911, 21 September 1934, Page 14

SPORT ON SUNDAY

FAVOURED liY ARCHBISHOP

AUSTRALIAN CONTROVERSY COUNCILS' "HARDY ANNUAL" [from our owk correspondent] SYDNEY, Sept. 13 The question of permitting organised Sunday sport is likely shortly to become a burning one in Australia. The growth of Sunday sport in New South Wales has already caused grave concern among those people inside and outside the Church who have no desire to see the Sabbath desecrated in any way. In the country district football and cricket matches on Sunday between tennis* representing rival towns have become recognised things, and all efforts to stop them have been in \*ain. The Churches have been particularly loud in their protests, and many a country municipal election has been fought on the issue.

Strango as it may seem, the advocates of a quiet Sunday have failed all along the line, and special trains are frequently run for the convenience of the various teams and the supporters. On a recent Sunday a special train arrived at one country town with more than 800 passengers, all keen to witness a football match on a Sunday afternoon. Tho question of permitting municipal grounds to bo used on Sunday for organised sports provides a "hardy annual" for most of the councils, and before the topic is due for discussion tho various parties organise very thoroughly. Most of the decisions are made in favour of Sunday sport, but not before there have been many heated discussions. There are some who think that tho question is becoming one of national importance—a question upon which the Government should legislate. Naturally, the Churches press for a total abolition of Sunday sport, but it is doubtful whether the Government would give thom their own way. The advocates for Sunday sport have found a new champion in Archbishop Wand, who has just arrived from England to become leader of the Anglican Church in Queensland and, incidentally, leader of Association football in that State. Dr. Wand is a keen sportsman. He agrees with health-build-ing sport on Sundays, providing it is not worshipped. He says he thinks every man should attend church once during Sunday, but does not expect people to spend tho whole day inside a place of worship. He thinks that healthy recreation, provided it is not noisy, and does not destroy the quiat of the Sabbath, is probably better for the young people than some of the books they might read if they were not allowed to play.