SUNDAY PICTURES CEASE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1930, Page 5

SUNDAY PICTURES CEASE

“DRAW” AT MISSIONS. INSUFFICIENT SUITABLE FILM. AUCKLAND, Oct. 22. In obedience to the voice of the synod, the Auckland City Mission will cease showing pictures after the Sunday evening services in a week or two. The Methodist Central Mission took this step two weeks ago. The attendance promptly declined and there is no doubt that the same effect will be experienced by the Anglican mission. From a, financial point of view, however, it is possible that the position will bo no worse; because those who have been going to the missions lov the sake of the picture entertainment have not 'been remarkable for their generosity toward the cause of distress. The Methodist mission bad been losing from £6 to £8 a night foi some time and the Anglican mission has been showing a deficit. Neither mission adopted the use of picturils as a means of raising money for its important work. -At the same time neither is likely to deny that, in the uncertain “parish” of Qt-een Street on a Sabbath evening, “draw” of this kind has been very effectual in bringing crowds of people who would not otherwise have beard the word. At the beginning, however, the pictures had a definite religious sentiment. No one for a moment- could have dbjet-tod to the showing at a Sunday evening mission service 61 such a. picture as “The King o Ivingjs;” hut very soon the supply ol /such films Vi)a,s exljausjted. On this account the central mission relinquished the picture “draw” and now the City Mission follows. Possibly a factor in the picture policy of the missions has been the “competition” for the idle crowd presented bv the Rationalist Association, which uses a theatre for its Sunday evening leatherings, and shows pictures or holds a concert. Naturally there is a war to the knife M've'ii the Missions and the Rationalists. In addition to the Rationalist activity there have been other ‘entertainments” on Sundae in aid of unemployed musicians and the like. I here is little doubt that many people who have attended missions for the sale of entertainment has iust as readily crone to the “opposition” for. after all. entertainment has been the chief urge. It is stated upon excellent authority that on recent Sunday evenings 11.030 r-soats have been available in the city for entertainment.