SUNDAY SPORT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1923, Page 1

SUNDAY SPORT.

AI’STR AIJAX fIUTRCI I ESP COXDE.WXATTOX. SYDXEY. Jan 11. ('oiideninations of indulgence in sports ami other amusements on Sundays. and a plea for a more Chrislian observance of the day. has been the subject of a manifesto i-'-ued on behalf of the Anglican, i’rcsbvf <: : inn. Methodist. Congregational, and Raptis t Churches of Xow South Wales. The manifesto states that tlm leaders of ilie ChurclicK cannot hul vb-.v with d ani.ii-iy I 1" growing dispnvii ion on the part of many to rob the Christian .'siiiidav of its distinctive character. and that way they believe liegrave peril to The moral standards c.l tiers of the community and e-poeinlly upon tlie.se who occupy positions ol leadership or trust 1o weigh wr-ll the following ( onsiderations :- i I) The .setting apart of one day in s.-ven as specially sacred is an institution of Divine appointment which thm Christian Chinch has recognised I nun earliest times and which has hecoiiie a bulwark of our modern civilisation. (d) The Christian Sunday has help'd to build up tho-fi high moral standards which are part of our heritage to-day. Ii is important to consider whether encouragement of the present day demand for Sunday sport am! amusoments would not lower those standards for the generations to come. (.‘5) The sacred character of Sunday as a day ol opportunity for worsmp ought not to he endangered by the desire on the part of a section ol the community for recreation and pleasure on this day. especially in a country where there are so many opportiiml ie for those things. f.g) Sundae sport and amusement sooner or later involve Sunday labour which, with the increase of Sunday trading, destroys the sanctity of th. dav as oil ■ of rest and worship. The thealri'-al employees have already appear'd to the churches tor support against ilie attempt to introduce Sunday ontortainments, and they are representative of many other who would he affected by encroachment upon tm* Christian Sunday. !l is ]ii« lv that there will b organised effort on the part of the Churches along the lines indicated in tin manifesto. . ' (! Unite Movernnicntnl action against Sundav snort lias just been taken by th.- Victorian Cabinet, in a pmhi ution of the playing of games in public places on that day. Already \ letoria luk rigid laws regarding the nr- i vve-e of thr. 1 Sabbath, one that lias .-rused a good deal of opposition being tiro prohibition of the issue of news- ] popors on that • tt | J