NO PICTURES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20479, 4 December 1934, Page 12

NO PICTURES.

Theatres to Remain Closed on Christmas Day. COUNCIL'S DECISION. By a majority of nine to seven, the Christchurch City Council last evening rejected a motion by Councillor H. T. J Thacker which suggested that the applications of the picture theatre proprietors lor permission to show pictures on Christmas Day, which were refused by the f>y-laws and Finance Committee, be granted. Speaking to his motion, Councillor Thacker said that it was a question which should be decided by this meeting. There were all kinds of arguments raised by his motion. He pointed out that trams and trains were run on Sundays; there were “mystery hikes,” and cricket was played at Lancaster Park. Christmas Day was the most wonderful Birthday ever conceived. It was a day for rejoicing, and everyone should be free to choose his own way of spending it. Councillor A. E. Armstrong seconded the motion. Councillor J. K. Archer said that the responsibility for this kind of motion rested on those who moved it. He considered that the Railway Department was doing more to destroy the sublime nature of Christmas Day and secularise it than any other organisation. The council had no power over the Railway Department, but it had control of this question. It carried a moral responsibility. Four issues were raised—the reijigious, the commercial, social and labour. The major issue was the commercial one. There had been no request from the public as a body that pictures be open on Christmas Day. The only class who had asked for them had been the commercial element. It was not out to provide healthy reCr T^L*° n k u * wanted to make money. There was no law saving that Christmas Day must be observed as a holiday. But if it were not there would be a revolution by the people. The picture theatre proprietors had not come forward saying that volunteers would operate the pictures so that regular employees could be set free. Some of these employees had told Mr Archer that if cinemas were open on Christinas Day they would have to work from 9 am. until the theatres closed in the evening. They wanted the same rights as other workers and he hoped the council would refuse the application. * Councillor F. T. Evans then moved that the question be put and Councillor Thacker’s motion was lost. Councillors Archer, Butterfield. Barnett, Thurston, Howard, Lyons, T. Andrews, Beanland and the Mayor voted against and Councillors Mathison, Arm--strong, Thacker, Evans, Milliken, Hayward and E. H. Andrews voted for the motion.