PUBLIC MORALS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14971, 19 May 1914, Page 2

PUBLIC MORALS.

REPORT TO PiIESYTERIAN

ASSEMBLY.

Sabhath observance, juvenile literature, gambling, white slave traffic, moral atmosphere of places of public entertainment, and boxing were subjects touched on in a report by *the. religion and public morals committee presented at the Presbyterian Assembly | at Sydney last week. | THE PLEASURE STREAM. ! Regret was expressed that there was | no observable diminution in thevolum* of the human stream that set towards I recreational resorts and away from the J places of worship on the Lord'B Day. The indifference' of the people at large, it was stated, was reflected in the attitude of the Government, who i not only yieided to popular demand for travelling facilities on Sunday, but anticipated that demand by proposals which, if carried out, must result m further development of the evils. The extra facilities for reaching places of recreation were responsible for the congestion of traffic in the evening, and the resumption of the time-table during the hour of public worship. They believed that the time had arrived for the church to set the example in the endeavour to obviate Sunday travelling by exhorting ministers and church members to discontinue the practice, and urging the latter to join the churches that may be reached without making use of public conveyances. READING FOR CHILDREN. Tho committee declared that the boys and girls of to-day were reading more wholesome literature than in years gone by. The expansion of children's stories was one of the most remarkable features of tho publishing world. Tho booksellers had less demand for the sensational and bloodthirsty stories of the "Deadwood Dick" type, and although there were publications calculated to feed the appetite for pugnacity in boys and sickly sentiment in girls, there "were very few whose tone was immoral, or whose influence was really deleterious to moral development. SPECULATION. The committee said it was anxious to support every effort made to bring about a more definite attitude of opposition to the practice of exploiting the speculative instincts of tbe people. WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC. As for white slave traffic, the committee said that they had joined in a deputation to the Premier to put before him the grave possibilities of New South Wales becoming a hunting ground for infamous traders in young girls. Tho disappearance of young women lent colour to the theory that the white slavers txere at work. Strict enquiries, however, had not revealed the existence of any organisd effort on the part of these detestable traffickers. PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. Under the heading of "Moral Atmosphere of Places of Amusement," the committee reported:—"There is a growing feeling in tho minds of respectable citizens that tho attention of the churches should be drawn to the demoralising effect of certain forms of entertainment. Your committee has received first-hand evidence of the j existence of a low moral tone in certain places of amasement. There are j phases of allurement presented to the' theatre-going public that are calculated i to do harm. The world-wide discussion of new and eccentric forms of dancing, which give offence both to good taste and morality, has forced upon »our notice tho conditions of things in our own country. We are bound to declare

our belief that not a little that takes place in public and semi-private resorts is calculated to lessen female modesty, and stimulate immoral tendencies in both sexes. Tho extremes of indecorous and uncomely fashions in dress may, we think, be left to the corrective influence of the good sense of the community, aided by the good example of women in responsible positions as leaders of society. There is always a tendency to the normal characteristic of the British race. At the same time, we believe it is well to point out that subscription to objectionable if fleeting fashions, which have nowadays a tendencj- to run riot, is a sign of moral laxity, which cannot but bo harmful to society and hindering to the attainment of high Christian ideals. It is not the business of your committee to take on the calling of an inspector of moral nuisances, but it is surely our business to seek to know the true state of things in order that we may assist the church to that proper appreciation of moral values which shall direct its influence for good to best ends." BOXING CONTESTS.

A good deal was also said about boxing. "Your committee's attention," the report said, "was drawn to the unparalleled increase of interest in prize-fighting—euphemistically called boxing or athletics. . Against 'boxing' as an athletic exercise practised by amateurs for recreational purposes, we have nothing to say, and wo recognise that the 'art <5f self-defence' is a useful and possibly necessary accomplishment. We also recognise that there is scope for professional teachers of the art. Our protest is against the encouragement of the 'prize-fight,' a form of entertainment that appears to be as lucrative to its promoters as it is undoubtedly harmful, in thousands of cases, to those who witness it. On the best of authority we declare that many of tho contests are mere exhibitions of sanguinary brutality, and we have to thank the police and some of the promoters that some of them have not ended in actual slaughter. We deprecate the breeding of a race of modern gladiators, whose struggles in the arena tend to develop the taste for exciting and debasing spectacles. We believe it is high time that the people of Australia called a halt in the matter of catering for this kind of entertainment. In connexion with the erection of boxing saloons, we protest against permission being granted by tbe responsible Minister until the citizens living in the locality in which such buildings are proposed to be placed have the opportunity of recording their wishes in the matter. We hold that tho right of the residents to say whether or not their district shall bo invaded by the prize-fighting enterprise is more sacred than the rights of money-making syndicates concerned in their establishment. We also suggest that it would be a wise step to "exclude young lads from boxing contests, either as spectators or combatants, and we further record our conviction that if what is known as 'the knock-out blow' .were excluded -as a determining factor m tho adjudgment of a victory, a good deal of. the sheer brutality of the contests them- j selvas would be eliminated.'