CRAZE FOR DANCING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18237, 22 November 1924, Page 13

CRAZE FOR DANCING.

modern jazz condemned.

(»P*CIAI, TO "teb raias.') AUCKLAND, November 21. Tho discouragement of dancing advocated by tho Presbyterian General Assembly lias attracted considerable attention. "The clcrg y arc behind the times," declared a member of the Presbj-terian Church in Auckland, when discussing the matter to-day. "They arc a narrowminded lot and should awake to the fact that people do not want to hear dry old eermong about what happened 2000 years ago. What is Wanted is something up-to-date and attractive." Ho then told of a fellow-member who had been very much distressed through certain people in church objecting to a charity entertainment ho had arranged for this week because ono or two dancing items were on the programme. Despite his condemnation of the Church's attitude the layman admitted there was something decidedly wrong with tho present style of dancing. "I object to close dancing and hugging," lie said. "That is the disgusting part that should be cut out." Then lie criticised the evening frocks worn to-day, which, ho said, were very suggestivo in many cases, an objection that was increased by the movements indulged in by "expert" jazzers. Another Presbyterian churchman, while not commenting upon the decision of the General Assembly, held that there was a great deal of undesirable conduct under the surface at dancing halls., He attributed this to the lack of home training, which in turn resulted in an entire absence of restraint on young people. "I think it is the duty of the Church to discourage rather than encourage dancing," stated an Anglican layman. He based his opinion on the fact that dancing was being carried to an excess. "I havo no rigid objection to dancing as such," lie continued. "I am a great believer in moderation in all things. Dancing cannot be defined as absolutely morally wrong, but there are many young women who live for nothing else but dances. In London they attend two or three dances in one evening."

Tho proto'st made by the Presbyterians against ministers talcing part in (lances was adversely commented upon by another Anglican, who gave some interesting details of u certain district clergyman's activities in this direction. In a certain parish the vicar of one of the churches there has for several years conducted a dancing class once a week in tlio Sunday -schoolroom. He has been practically the teacher and master of ceremonies, and the weekly "hop" has been popular alike with the young people and their parents. Nor has-any objection been taken to the proceedings by the bishop. Tlio dance's have been found to be healthy and amusing, and they brought young people together, one indirect result being that many of them also attended church services.

Cabaret dancing was criticised by several Church people who we're interviewed, , and their experiences in southern towns were quoted, the chief evil alleged being the introduction of liquor amongst young men and women frequenting these places. In certain instances it was said that the practice was for couples to leave the dancing hall and resort to motor-cars waiting in th,e vicinity, where driulcing was indulged in. Drinking amongst young women was the feature considorcd most reprehensible by those who expressed their opinions. "Wljen I . was a young man it was quite the exception to find a woman taking whisky or wine at a dance," said one churchgoer. "There were a few old ladies who were grateful if their partners put a dash of spirits in their lemonade, but that was the extent of the 'nipping' in those days; but to-day many girls are quite disappointed if no cocktails are provided. Some of them even prefer whisky, and it is in drinking at dances that the danger lies." > .