SUNDAY TRADING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 223, 8 June 1918, Page 8

SUNDAY TRADING

PROTEST FROM CHURCH MINISTERS

FRANK STATEMENT BY HON,

T. M; WILFORD

A protest against Sunday trading was made by a deputation representing the Council of tno Churches m Wellington which waited upon the Minister of Justice (lion. 'I. M. niltord) yesterday. The deputation was introduced by (lie Hon. J. U. W. Aitken.

The ltev. Dr. Gibb said that certain labour unions had protested against the recent judgment of the Chief Justice on tho question of Sunday trading in certain places of business, and the Council of the Churches wisiied to join in that protest. They did not wish to suggest that the decision of the Chief Justice bad not been in accord with the law as it existed at present, but they wished that such a change should be made in Ihe law that this class of trading should be made impossible. "We note," said Dr. Gibb, "that other parts of tho British Empire have gone far to protect the sanctity of tile Sunday. Whilst w;e do not wish to obtrude our religious views on people unwilling to receive them, we say that we have a right to ask for the protection of tiie State to observe the Lord's Day, anil wo say that we have a right to worship God without the distractions of the ordinary day of the week.''

The Hon. T. M. Wilford sajd it ivas almost a matter of policy the deputation was asking him to alter. At the same time he though it was well for him to spenk jnst as straight and plainly in this matter as they had to him. He thanked them for putting their views before him in a way that there could be no mistako about. It would l>e very simple for him in this matter—and perhaps popular— to inform them that thistfluestion would be referred to Cabinet for consideration; that their views would be fully communicated to Cabinet, and the answer of the Government would be given to them in due course. But, alter all, ho thought that ho . should speak just as straight to them, as they had spoken to him; and they wqnld give him credit for being entitled to his opiniou just as they were to their opinion. He believed Sir fiobert Stout's judgment wiis a right one according to the law. He believed that the representation made by the Labour union to him in regard "to these girls working on Sunday wjis a real grievance; and his private opinion was that if they were required to work on Sunday they should be given overtime rates, and be given a whole holiday in the week. He did not, however, believe that it would bo a good thing for this city to shut those places; .and he really believed they were works of necessity as defined by Sir Robert Stout in his judgment of February 28. But this was a bigger thing than a Minister's personal opinion; and he thought it was his duty—representing a body, as the members of the deputation did. and expressing a large portion of public opinion which was entitled to have its views placed ]>eforo Cabinet, tlmt that should be done; and the request of the deputation had been carefully noted, and would be submitted to Cabinet, and the policy of the Government ascertained in regard to the matter. But to be perfectly frank, as he had stated, he did not agree with what the deptuation had said, and ho agreed with Sir Robert Stout's judgment., He might- add that lie had had abundant opportunity, in his experience as a lawyer, of forming a judgment in regard to this matter. He knew there was a large section ot people represented by the deputation who held the views expressed by those who had waited upon him, and "he believed his view w<« a minority view, but lie did not think it was worth while holding a public position unless, one was prepared to frankly express his convictions. The arguments which had beoi submitted to him would be placed before Cabinet, and the policy of the Government would be communicated to the deputation.

The Ifev. Dr. Gibb: We can only hope that the majority of the members of tho Government will be of another opinion.

Tho Hon. Mr. Wilford: If that is so I, as Minister, will carry out the policy of the Government.

The Rev. Dr. Gibb said, in submitting the matter to Cabinet nnd in thinking over the matter, it. would, he thought, bo well for the Minister to remember the words and action of that great statesman President Wilson about. Sunday observance in relation to the war and its final issue. v Mr. Wilford replied that he had Tead all of the President's speeches, and he had the highest opinion of President Wilson.