SUNDAY TRAINS

Evening Star, Issue 20139, 2 April 1929, Page 7

SUNDAY TRAINS

OBJECTIONS FROM CHURCHES DEPARTMENT’S ADVERTISEMENTS CRITICISED DEPUTATION TO HON. W. B. TAVERNER Objecting to the running of excursions by tho Railway Department on Sundays, and to the appeal of tho department in its advertisements to people to spend the Babbath at the seaside, a deputation from the Council of Christian Congregations waited on the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. B. Taverner) this morning. The Rev. AY. A. Hamhlett apologised for the absence of the Bishop of Dunedin, who was unfortunately unable to he present, lie said that first of all ho wished to express tho pleasure of the deputation at Mr Taverner’s appointment to Cabinet rank, and on his having charge of tho administration of such an important organisation as the railway services of the dominion The purpose of tho deputation was to meet the Minister in connection with the new phase of the service which had been adopted—the running of Sunday excursions. In making the representations they felt them was a special duty laid upon them aa Christian ministers and as representatives of practically all the churches of Dunedin. They believed that the running of Sunday excursions was not in the interests of tho highest welfare of the citizens, and was not in the interests of the dominion as a whole. He did not know whether they were right in assuming that the purpose of the excursions was to endeavour to make a huge department which had not been nourishing financially of late into a more payable department. That would bo a laudable desire from the point of view of the department itself, but they thought there was a much wider issue. They believed that Sunday was a day of rest by Divine, appointment, and being by Divine appointment was lor the best interests of the race. LOWERING CHA RA GIF R. “We think that it wilt not he found ultimately to the advantage of JSlew Zealand to multiply_the excursions as is being done at present, because it will tend to lower the standard of tho character of the people by taking them away from worship in God’s house,” continued Mr Hamhlett. “That is the crux of the question. Wc do not come forward primarily on our own behalf as members of congregations likely to suffer financially, but because we really believe that the increasing facilities given by tho department and tho increasing invitations to neglect the Sabbath by reason of these excursions arc against the highest welfare _of the people. That is our main belief. Wo hope that Sunday excursions will not become a thing of common vogue 111 New Zealand.”' Mr Hamhlett asked that the Government should seek to uphold the sanctity of tho Babbath. He noticed that the Sunday excursions were being largely availed of. The running of the trains on Sundays meant not only that the railway employees had to work, but also that a'number of other agencies were set in motion- For instance, in one advertisement he noticed that corporation buses wore provided to take the people to tho train at this end, and that similar facilities were provided at the other end. ' It was hoped that Mr Taverner, ns head of the department, would bo able to use his influence to minimise, if not to altogether do away with, tho Sunday excursions. An advertisement of tho department which had come'under Ids notice made a direct appeal to people to (iso their Sunday at the seaside. From a small beginning made several years ago tho excursions had grown into a big movement, and they thought it was their duty* to make rcpreseul.it'.ons op tho subject.

SUNDAY EXCURSIONS RESENTED. That thev did not object to the efforts of the department to make the railways pay and to give a better service to tho people, but that they resented strongly the introduction ot Sunday excursions, were the opening arguments of Air E. A. Rosevcar, who added that the Minister knew lie was not a “ kill-joy.” A few years ago, continued Air Rosevear, a deputation had waited on the previous Alimswr of Railways, and the impression Id. on their minds by his reply was that tho department would not gi'°. increased facilities for Sunday excursions. Tho law was that business was not to be conducted on a Sunday, yet m face of tho law they found a department of the Government, which made tho law, putting the law m denancc and aiding and abetting others to break tho law. Tho railway bookstall was opened before Sunday trains Jett, though he had found that it was entitled to bo open by agreement. J no running of the Sunday excursions brought into operation other forms ot business which he maintained were not legal. Ho admitted that tho people supported the excursions, but at the same time they were organised and run for no other purpose than to make mouev. On tho occasion ot an excursion to Roxburgh he had reason to believe that the Railway Department arranged with the fruit growers to sell cases of fruit, considerable business being done as a result. AVliy should he as°a bookseller be prevented from selling books which the Government had decreed were injurious to tho morals of tho people when thousands maintained that "the running of Sunday trains was against the morals of the people? .He had discussed the matter with many business men, who said tho thing should stop at once. In the stress of, present-day business and work it was essential there should be one day of the week with a different emotional tone. Tho department was going in for a great deal of advertising, flourishing advertisements inviting people to spend the Sabbath at the seaside or in other places. The department had introduced a commercial element into the business, and that would inevitably induce others to conic in for commercial purposes. Alcn would bring into operation other organisations of amusement, and the Government would he unable to stop them. He joined in asking that Sunday excursions should cease. THE MINISTER’S REPLY. “1 understand that similar representations will be made to me in other centres, and, realising that every possible consideration should be given, and will be given, to representations coming from such quarters. I propose to hear the other people before giving you my decision in regard to the matter,” said Mr Taverner in reply, after he had expressed. thanks for the felicitations

offered to liim on his appointment to Cabinet rank. _ , . The present policy of running trams on Sunday was formulated before the present Government came into office, and would conclude at tho end of the present summer, added Mr Taverner. The question would then have to come up for consideration along with other things. There were, however, two sides to the question. Jf the demand had. not existed, ho did not see how the f acilities would have been provided. Certainly there was something in what had been said about other branches of commercial activity being opened up on the Sundays. He would like to point out, however, that the running of Sunday trains did not require the attendance of people who supplied tho needs of motorists. All over the world railways were suffering from the competition of motor traffic. Motor services could not ho controlled in tho way the deputation had suggested that the railways should be controlled. If the demand lor Sunday travelling existed, then those controlling the motor services would he able to take it up, and presumably could make a profit out of it. “At tho same time, 1 do not want you to think that, as head of fhe department, I consider the matter entirely from the commercial pointy of view,” continued Mr Taverner. “That is not my attitude. On tho other hand, I have to take a very broad view of the question, and realise that the service supplied is a national one. The people as a whole have to he catered for. .1 assure you that very careful consideration wiil ho given to ihe.so representations, together with those which ma.V he made in other centres, and you will bo advised in due course of the Government’s policy in tho matter.” “Wo earnestly believe that national character is tho first consideration,” said the Rev. W. B. Hamblett in thanking the Minister for receiving the deputation.