A NEW CHRISTMAS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16211, 8 December 1926, Page 7

A NEW CHRISTMAS

CHRISTCHURCH DECISION

LABOB MAYOR'S REASONS

(Sjwcial to tb* Herald.) "i CHRISTCHURCH, this day. '; Despite the suggestion of one councillor .that the next move would be to have' jazzing on Christmas Day, Chrifitehurch is to have movies on December :*2i», The Christchurch City Council granted permission for picture shows to be open. The permission is granted for the first time in Christchurch, and is a. reversal of a decision arrived at by the council last year. -Cr.'" Anderson moved that the council grant permission, for pictures to be shown on Christmas Day. It was desired to show pictures in the evening. He read a long list fit towns which allow pictures to be shown, and a short list of those towns which still prohibit the-showing of pictures. The council; had given permission for the holding of a cycle sports meeting, and a cricket match was held. the Mayor, the Rev. J. K. Archer, seconded the motion for two reasons, first, because he did not wish to destroy the people's liberty. It was not compulsory for people to go to pictures,, and neither on religious grounds nor any other had he the right to

stop the people going to pictures on <{T' Christmas Day. His second ground wft*S'that it had been put to him that iuithe city/.there were thousands, and pefhaps.-..tens of thousands of people who 'had ho adequate housing accommodation to make it possible for them to spend anywhere but hi the 'pictures or on the streets. There many young people living in lodgings, too, and it was better for themto go to .the pictures than to go round the streets. i Cr. Sim asked if the Mayor would be consistent and allow public houses to be-open. on Christmas Day? i"I have no voice in the matter,"' the Mayor replied. Cr.. Sim supported the motion solely to be consistent. He deprecated the change of Christmas Day, but the council had granted permission for a spirts meeting to be held at English Park stadium, and it was only consistent to grant permission to show pictures, too. ,rj Cr. Leadley said that if pictures *rere.to be allowed vaudeville shows and dancing would have' to bo allowed/ too. Then they would have jazzing on Christmas Day. After further discussion the motion ■ wjis earried by nine votes to six.