SUNDAY TENNIS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 8

SUNDAY TENNIS.

Should Resolutions Be Put in Churches? MINISTER'S VIEW. The passing of a resolution against Sunday tennis by the congregation of the Cashmere Hills Presbyterian Church, in the church itself, at yesterday morning’s service, appears to raise a considerable controversy, for at an early hour this morning the following letter, signed ‘‘ Broadminded,” was handed in to the editor of the “ Star.” “ Dear Sir, —I would like to be informed whether in the event of a man speaking to a motion presented in a church on any question of public interest he could be prosecuted for creating a disturbance, and secondly whether, if such a motion is submitted to a congregation, an opportunity is given for a full and free discussion of it. I ask the question because a motion was put to the congregation of the Cashmere Presbyterian < 'hurch on the subject of Sunday tennis, and was declared carried unanimously. As a Sunday tennis player, I would like the opportunity of putting the facts to this congregation, but what opportunity have I of doing so? Is the church a debating society? I think not, and I would like to know what standing, if any, I would have if I desired to address the members next Sunday.” The matter was referred to the minister concerned, the Rev James Robertson, who stated that the motion was put and carried after the actual service was completed and the Benediction pronounced. No discussion was invited, but the agreement was wholeheartedly expressed. Asked whether it was fair to put such a motion when there was little likelihood of anyone being courageous enough to dispute it. Mr Robertson leplied that it was quite fair to give those in agreement an opportunity of expressing that agreement. Asked to comment on the resolution and on the correspondent’s questions, the Rev J. A. Allan, of Riccarton, said that, if the writer was a member of the Cashmere Presbyterian Church and objected to the resolution, he could voice his protest to the Session, and if that failed he could, if he wished, take the matter on to the Presbytery. “If he is not a member of the Church.” said Mr Allan. “ then I fail to see what standing he has.” (The resolution carried by the Cashmere Presbyterian Church appears on Page 3.)