ORGANISED SUNDAY GAMES.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 55, 6 November 1924, Page 3

ORGANISED SUNDAY GAMES.

OBJECTING RESOLUTION CARRIED. By Matamata Golf Club. Candid Expressions of Opinion. Lively discussion ensued at the annual meeting of the Matamata Golf Club on Tuesday night, when the question of the propriety or otherwise of organised games on Sunday was discussed. The apparently debatable topic was introduced by the president (Mr. C. D. Rollett), who said that the Matamata Golf Club had always been opposed to Sunday competitions. He proposed that no matches in connection with the club be played on Sunday. Mr. W. S. Wilson seconded. The secretary (Mr. C. McDonald) said it seemed to be universal to play competitions and inter-club matches on a Sunday. He was most certainly in favour of play on Sunday. He was decidedly of the opinion that a minute ought to be put on the books permitting inter-club matches and competition play on Sunday. Mr. W. T. Walker supported Mr. McDonald. Prohibition of Sunday play was most unfair to business men who could not get away on Saturday. The secretary said that inter-club matches should have been played on Sundays last year, whereas, under the existing rules, they could not be carried on.

Mr. J. Brabiner favoured Sunday play; in fact, he was prepared to resign and join another club on account of the Sunday play. Rev. Connolly said that if the meeting decided to play matches on Sunday he would certainly resign. There was a very great difference indeed between ordinary individual play and organised matches. The latter would tend to bring about the Continental Sunday. Footballers and others would follow suit; one footballer had remarked to him that football would get a good gate on a Sunday. He maintained that organised sport on Sunday was a desecration of the Sabbath. A great principle was at stake, and there was no saying where the thing would end. Reparding people in business not being able to get out to play, anyone keen enough managed to play golf when they wanted to, or to go to races. People would find the time if they wanted to. Playing games on a Sunday was a matter for the individual. He was strongly opposed to organised Sunday play.

Dr. Laurenson endorsed the Rev. Connolly’s remarks. If the Sunday play of another club attracted Mr. Brabiner, then his tastes must be peculiar. Mr. Brabiner said he was speaking personally. He could not get away like others.

A voice: You work only 44 hours a week. (Laughter).

The secretary said the matter resolved itself into one of whether offence was given to the public; and hewas sure that the playing of golf did not do that; it was different from football.

Mrs. J. F. Vosper endorsed Rev. Connolly’s remarks. Mr. E. C. Banks said the Sunday playing idea was going back twenty years. He had been asked twenty years ago at Matamata to play cricket on Sunday, but declined. The arrival of civilised people settled Sunday cricket. (Laughter). The Tennis Club was the most successful in Matamata, but did not play on Sunday. Individuals could play on Sunday, but not the club as an organisation. The motion that no match playing on Sundays be recognised was carried by 26 to 12, on a show of hands.