METHODIST CHURCH'S PROTEST

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 149, 27 June 1933, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH'S PROTEST

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The general public may have wondered, why the churches have been silent on the question of holding a Sunday concert, for which an admission charge was made. We have been hurt that our principles have been flouted while we are still expected to carry on with the good work of administering the Mayor's Fund through our Inter-Church Belief Committees., We have also recognised the great burden that is being carried and the good'work that is being done by the "Smith Family" in their work for our "distressed, and indigent citizens. In consequence we have not protested, although it can be promised that definite action will be taken if last Sunday 's permission is likely to become a custom. As one branch of the Christian Church in this city we are now compelled to register our protest against the affront tendered to an important member of the staff of the city, which affront has been- aggravated by the reply by way of explanation offered by j Mr. Neil when he said, "This is modern 1933, and smug hypocrisy should take a back seat to the needs of tile moment." If Mr. Neil, or anyone else, thinks that he can ride rough shod over the spiritual views and opinions of a vast but silent section of the community he has made a great mistake. A short course of-, study on the history of the English people would soon reveal to Mr. Neil, and those who think with him, that when the spiritual forces of the country rise in their wrath something has got to move. His Worship the Mayor stated that the question of Sunday concerts has reached the crossroads. So it has. Realising that many in this city are not churchgoers, we have tolerated something in our midst that has hurt our spiritual susceptibilities, and which we believe has done some injury to the spiritual fibre of the community, but when, in addition to a pro; grammo that contained a wealth of items classed as humorous, we have added an insult to our Town Clerk, and a general insult to the community under the cloak of an apology, it is time to call a halt. Signed on behalf of the Methodist Church, wo remain, T. R. RICHARDS, Chairman of District. H. J. ODELL, Secretary of District. F. E. LEADLEY, Secretary District Executive. W. B. SCOTT, Convener Public Questions Committee. . .

Appreciation! has been expressed by Korokoro residents,- through one of their representatives on the Korokoro committee of the Petone. Borough Council, of the splendid water supply that has been/provided in the district. On a charge of stealing two gates, valued at £1, Keith Elford Craig, aged 31, was fined £5 by Mr. E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court today.