ASSEMBLY AND DANCING

Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1925, Page 4

ASSEMBLY AND DANCING

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS MADE. DI'XEDIN, Nov. 11. “That the Life and Work Committee be granted another year in which to prepare a statement un the subject of dancing, and that the resolution passed by the last assembly be reaflilined, and referred to the notice of kirk sessions and deacons' courts.’’ The above clause in the report of the Idle and Work Committee, which was presented at the annual sessions of iln> General Assembly this morning, provoked considerable discussion, in the course of which allegations of an extremely serious nature were made about the alleged immorality of those who in particular attended both private and public dances. The convenor (the Rev. W. M’Lean) explained that the committee was not in a position to submit the statement on this subject which the last Assembly instructed it to prepare, and hogged permission to delay for another year. Further, many issues were raised in the Assembly's discussion, and a pronouncement at the present time would probably complicate certain delicate negotiations which another Assembly committee was prosecuting. He made reference to the amount of lirjuor consumed ai dances, and deplored the fact that young women were as much to blame as men in the matter. A man was no good at a dance unless he carried a Mask in his hip pocket. The speaker claimed that he had thoroughly investigated the position, and that his “eyes had been opened” with i what had been disclosed. Private ' dances were as had. if not worse than . public i.oes. Mr F. .tones (Muiamata) asked why the matter had not been gone on with. ’ It. was a vital (|ttcsliun. and yet it 1 had been shelved. The speaker pro- ' reeded to read from a paper prepared

on behalf of the congregation he represented. ill which it was laid, down that the living of “gay and giddy lives" win; comrary to the teachings of the New Testament. 'I hey had been told Giat as much harm was done alter church hours as was done at halls and (lances. If that were the ease, the sooner tliov shut, up their churches the better it would he. After referring to the “worhlliliess of Christians,” the speaker went oil to slate that a cot tain panel- had ridiculed wltal. it was pleased 1, ; .‘ (i ,1l • ‘dour Presbyterian*”, and "brethren who lived good, pure lives.” Mr ,|ones was here interrupted by several points of order. He then moved that, as the Life and Work Committee had not prepared a report on the subject. a committee of the Assembly lie •■ci up in deal with the matter of discouraging dancing in their halls, and also the rai-iug of Tunds by same for schemes of the chart h.” The Moderator pointed out that the motion earned at the previous Asseni||V was practic’illv identical to the amendment, moved by Mr dunes. Mr Jones said that he wauled t<> lake the matter out of the hands of the Life and Work Commute. “It they think they can close my month, well. I've nothing more to say.” he added, with obvious emotion. The amendment was seconded by Mr .1. W. f tunli ( Waivera 1. The Rev. Patterson moved that a (i.mmiitee he set up to work in conjunction with the Life and Work Committee and report, to the Assembly. The Itev. Tucker said that the metier had fresiicntly been before the (lunches and also one Presbytery. Hi* Rilde classes had received a deniiiie •t n 1 eimm i ahmit the matter. Ho asked ike Rev. M’f.iali win.l were the “oerinn delicate lieui.l ini inns'‘ that were bein''' condncled, I!. - Imped that the delegates would he aide to go hack to their ehiiri he* w ith ii clear am! strong lead on the very vital question. U was u ■! a mere mailer of dancing, bill a burning quest ion *.d morality that was itiv: 1 veil. The sneaker went on to refer m statements that had been made In him by an Anglican lady of things dial lie 'Yotddu'i mcnil inti.” “Why iaii'! cur Christian hostesses insist on keeping their homes pure?” lm asked. The Rev. M’l.eao said that -nme of the speakers had not been unite fair to ibe Life and Work Ci.iiimit tor which was (|itite compelciil to malm a ropr.rl.

A voice: V.'liv di'lii’l tliovr’ Tlio liov M’Lniin: The reecoii i-; five'll in I Ito Wliit <• Hemic. Tim [Msiiiun, I:o ohiimcil. !>:■ (1 l:eon c iiinplic rctod. Mr M'lmon :>vl<vil jennT-inn to ivith-ili.-m 1 Im- Mlo :: 11 rI" \\Vrlc ( oilimill"o's |-i'| i< >it in fovoiir nl Mi I’lit loi sun's nmonclnioni. vT'ieh \v:i~c oprooil to, r.ml lilt' Im tor. Ix'coiii iiiLi ll'o sulixMiitivo motion. v.'jis oanioil uimniimiudy.