SUNDAY PATRIOTIC CONCERTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2241, 29 August 1914, Page 9

SUNDAY PATRIOTIC CONCERTS

CHARGE FOR ADMISSION A QUESTION OP PRINCIPLE; Quite a breeze ruffled the accustomed calm of the proceedings of the Patriotic Fund Committee'meeting last evening. The trouble arose over a proposal to make a direct charge for admission to a proposed Sunday concert and was a reflection of something that had occurred in committee at the last City Council meeting. The incident originated in the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) giving expression to his opinion as to the principle of charging for admission to Sunday concerts, and, in a manner, disassociating himself_ from the action of the council in giving the necessary permission. Mr. Luke said that he realsied hie responsibilities both as Mayor of Wellington and as a private citizen, in connection with the matter. Hβ did not wish to labour the question at all, but if the charge for Sunday concerts" was to be taken as an indication of patriotism, it was his opinion that it would not be furthered to any great extent by such means. It could be just as well shown by a collection. He felt in this position that as the City Council had passed a resolution permitting a direot charge to be made at a. proposed Sunday concert, he,, as chairman of the 'Executive Committee, should make himself clear on the subject'. There might be tlhose who were helping the fund considerably whose conscience and (principles were against the proposal to charge, and it was not their place to wound and offend ttie susceptibilities of such people. He was not saying that in any Puritan spirit. _ He had been working on Sundays sinco the war broke out, and his womenfolk had 4iad their machines going every Sunday, but he wished to. make it clear that he was against the proposal to charge for Sunday concerts. The Eev. Dr. Gibb said he agreed and sympathised with tho Mayor. He would like to simply emphasise that it would -be - a very great pity indeed if g£y action taken by them were to alienate the' sympathies of any section of the community. ' Councillor Fletcher explained for tho enlightenment of the executive that, at the last meeting of' the Entertainment Committee, of which Councillor Fitzgerald, Mr. Marryatt, and himself were members, it was suggested _ that Mr. Alexander Watson might be induced to give another recital on Sunday night, and they recognised at the eame time that if. they were going to-get any result from it a chan-ge would have to be made, and he was deputed to ask the permission of the council for that to' be done. By the indulgence of the Mayor he was enabled to introduce the matter, and the proposal had been carried with two dissentients. The matter had been deliberately discussed—the Mayor had taken part in _ the disouseion—and it was quite unfair to say that there had been any undue haste or lack of consideration. If the executive did uot want the concert they could refer the matter to the Entertainment Committee, which would doubtless "turn' it down.".At last Sunday's concert only £44 was taken at the doors, and eome £35 durint Mr. Watson's recital of "The Absent-Minded Beggar." .He wns one of those who held strongly that they should not ask anyone to help in this wav, and make it free to all. . Mr. J. E.-'.Fitzgerald'. r supported Mr. Fletcher. . ■'~ ■ r ;

Mr. Bert Royle wished' to know if was the concert or the charge that was, objected to. It was either_ wrong to give the concert at ; all or it was no wrong. The payment for admission was a secondary consideration altogother. The Hon. J. G. W. Aitkcn: "My conscience has been violated long ago by these Sundav cqncerte." Mr. Royle: "That is perfectly logical —either the concerts should be given or they"should'not be given.'

The chairman, replying to Mr. Royle, said that personally lie did not think it was desirable in. a citv hall to have a direct charge made on Sundays, as it encouraged a spirit of commercialism. Hβ had only introduced the matter to .get an expression of opinion from the executive. With this the discission lapsed, and the'husiness of the meeting was resumed Councillor Fletcher wanted an indication as to how the Entertainment Committee wais to act, hut was given no satisfaction .one way or the other by motion .or otherwise. "'