SUNDAY CONCERTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 18986, 1 July 1933, Page 9

SUNDAY CONCERTS.

CRITICISM IN WELLINGTON.

THEATRE MANAGER INDIGNANT. “ May I be allowed a further word In connection with the contretemps over the concert at which members of my company assisted last Sunday evening in aid of the funds of the Smith Family?” said Mr Frank Neil, proprietor of the Clnderalla pantomime company, in a statement in Wellington. “It has come under my notice that the Methodist people have taken exception to such concerts and have made references to my rejoinder to the City Counoil that are, to say the least, not flattering. “ May I be permitted once more to make, the matter plain to the public? We were asked to assist in a charity concert by the Smith Family, and though the oompany had experienced a hard week with performances and rehearsals, a ready consent was given to help in this after-church entertainment. Neither the artists nor the theatre management were getting one penny out of the effort. "When it came to the programme, the town clerk, as censor, demanded the full text of all the songs and sketches that were to be included. In some instances this was not difficult to fulfil, but in the case of Messrs Syd. Beck and George Wallace it was not possible. If the town clerk had offered me £IOO to do what he asked, I could not have done so, as performers of that class often speak impromptu. Sayings and stories come to them as they proceed, and even they themselves could not have compiled with the town clerk’s demand. ■So much for that part of the matter, which I think the public will fully understand and appreciate.

Lack of Gratitude.

“ What astounded me, however, was to think that a sober-minded body of men like the City Council should allow itself to be carried, away by the intemperate speech in publio made by the Mayor—intemplrate because he had not sought to obtain an explanation of the affair from any other side except the town clerk’s. “Nothing .was said round the council table about these decent, hard working people having given up the only night off they have in the week to help the poor of the city; nothing of gratitude was expressed by anyone oonoerned. At that time I did not know that 1 there might be rivalry in charity as between the Smith Family and the Mayor’s Distress Fund. “On this point I am deeply incensed. To think that the Mayor and members of the council, none of whom were at the oonoert, could stand up and.abuse me on hearsay evidence smacks of intolerance and injustice, and If the Methodist gentlemen were similarly absent, I think that their seizure on the affair as a means to attaok me is npt very Christian-like. I might say that my record as far as giving for oharitable objects is one of which I am very proud, and to-day I am prepared to put up £2O for any ■charity in Wellington if the Mayor, the town clerk,: and my other, abusers will do the same—simply'as a guarantee of my bona fldes;

Putting the Mayor Right.

*" May I be allowed to put the Mayor right where he was egregiously wrong? 1 ’ continued Mr Neu. “First I did not attempt to make an officer of the council look ridiculous; secondly, my speech at the oonoert was not a humorous nor an * allegedly humorous’ one; thirdly, | am not a touring comedian. As to the Methodists, what can I say? This controversy about Sunday concerts is ages old. I am, personally, not concerned as to whether they are allowed or not. I do not trade in them, but I would point out that this concert was permitted by your own City Council. Not only was it freely permitted, but the Smith Family was allowed to oharge for admission, a Sabbath concession probably made to concert-promoters for the first time, and which sets up a precedent which your council may find hard to live down. “ Speaking as a man of the world, It-should be known that such concert's are given the world over on Sundays, practically without restriction as to programmes, while in the United States and Canada, Sunday afternoons and evenings are given up almost exclusively to concerts of various kinds. Tlie same practice prevails irt London. I need not mention the Continent, where after morning service the day is one of reoreation and enjoyment. “After all, is there anything more objectionable from the Christian point of view in a concert —even if comedy items are included —than in a broadoast programme from any of your wireless stations? You ban plays on Sundays here, but you' may Usten to them over the air In the -warm seclusion of your firesides. Something of smug hypocrisy in that, surely I Attitude of the Publio.

“ The faot that people do attend these Sunday concerts in the theatres $ sufficient to denote a real desire for something of the kind. There are people employed all the week who cannot attend shows In the ordinary way, yet who derive some pleasure in attending these concerts that are usually promoted for some form of charity. 1 “ May I, in conclusion, state once more that I did not hold the town clerk’up to ridicule. I merely thought that his request for certain information was ridiculous, because I could not supply it, however willing I might have been to do so. Those who know the methods of Messrs Beck and Wallace will appreciate my position, and acauit me of any intention to humiliate the town clerk, or derogate his authority. This is not an apology. It Is an explanation.