CENTENARY OF PUNCH

Southland Times, Issue 24492, 21 July 1941, Page 4

CENTENARY OF PUNCH

Congratulations Sent By Synod >

The novel step for a religious body of formally congratulating a humorous paper on its birthday was taken by tn Wellington Diocesan Synod. On me motion of the Rev. W. Tye (Tinui) i was resolved that, as Thursday was the centenary of the first issue of Punch, the Bishop be requested to send m the name of the clergy and laity assembled for the synod, a message to the editor and staff of Punch, congratulating them for a century of wholesome salutary Mr Tye said he discovered the date of the paper’s centenary while reading some old copies dating back to the first, and he thought they should take the opportunity of congratulating the paper some time before the date. “I made up my mind a long time ago that when the Sunday nearest arrived, I would try to preach a suitable sermon, and I did so last Sunday,” he said, arousing some laughter. PROMOTER OF HAPPINESS “I cannot understand why there is all this hilarity,” Mr Tye continued, quoting from Proverbs, chapter 17, verse 22, and Proverbs, chapter 15, verse 13. “A merry heart does good, like a medicine,” and “A merry heart hath a continual feast.” Punch had from the beginning been a promoter of happiness. He feared that clergy were inclined to be heavy in sermons and conversations, and anything that made them more cheerful was a blessing. In their thanksgiving, they thanked God for all the blessings of life, and he thought Punch was one of them. He was not moving the motion as a joke. Young clergy should read Punch because a sense of humour was very necessary. Archdeacon W. Bullock said he seconded the motion with pleasure and hoped it would give heart to the proprietors of the paper. SEVERAL DISSENTIENTS The motion was opposed by the Rev. P. A. Stanley (Waverley), who said he liked fun as much as any clergyman, but they should be careful what idea people would get of the synod, and he thought the motion was inconsistent with its dignity. At any time it would be foolish to pass such a motion, but at a time when civilization and Christianity was threatened it would be the utmost folly to let it go to the general public that they had passed such a motion. Mr H. A. Huggins supported the motion, pointing out that the Church had had a crusade against some papers that were supposed to be humorous. Punch had never had in it a suggestive picture or joke. It was a time of stress, but if humour were banished what would be left? “I think this motion is going to be a real help to the people who hear about it at Home,” said the Rev. A. F. R. Parr (Miramar). “It comes into the category of moral help.” Mr A. O. Jones (Masterton) spoke in opposition to the motion. The chancellor, Mr E. F. Hadfield, said Punch was more than a newspaper. Its allusions had passed into English literature. The exclusion of humour from every religious body would be a step backward. Several other speakers supported the motion and it was carried with a few dissentients.