"IN THE WEE SMA’ ’OORS!”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 62, 13 July 1915, Page 3

"IN THE WEE SMA’ ’OORS!”

STRATFORD AFTER ONE A.M.

A QUESTION OF MORALS. j

At last night’s meeting; of the Borough Council tlie question ol keeping; the street lights burning after one a.m.. which was discontinued at the beginning of the month, was revived by a letter of protest iroin representatives of the whole of the churches in the town. The communication was as follows :—AVe, the undersigned ministers cf religion, respectfully request yon to re-consider your recent action in ordering the lights in the streets of this town to bo extinguished every night at 1 a.m.. and to have that order rescinded. AVe make this request, quite apart from all other reasons, on the ground of morality. AA 0' are convinced that the extinguishing of the lights, and the consequent 1 darkening of the town, constitutes a real and grave danger and scandal,( especially to our young men and women, many of whom oltcn return to their homes after socials and gatherings, at a time much later than I a.m. ; that it will give opportunities for assignations and other dangerous occasions; women without male escort will he more liable to insults with impunity ; and, as experience has taught us, our town is not Iree from suspicion, at least of thefts, burglary, and incendiarism-—that the facilities for the commission of these crimes will he increased tenfold. Interested, as you naturally and rightly are, in the material and economic aspects of the matter, we. fear that, in your deliberations, you may have overlooked, or not given due consideration to the far weightier importance of the moral and spiritual side. For, chiefly, the above-mentioned reasons, it is not our purpose to “butt in” with other and irrelevant reasons, we have all united, though of different denominations, in making tin’s petition, and protest against what seems to ns so ill-advised a measure on your part, fully assured that your Council will give this petition of ours your courteous and serious attention. Praying that the Divine spirit may ever guide and direct your counsels for the welfare, both material and spiritual, of our town.—A\ r e remain, your obedient servants ,

A. RtEADER (Methodist Minister). JAMES PATTLSOX (Presbyterian Minister). CECIL W. HO WAR D (Vicar of Holy Trinity Church). HENRY ‘C. COOK (Salvation Army). FREDERICK (!. MAPLES, R.A. (Catholic Rector). Cr. Hunter'stated that ho had presented the petition on behalf of the ministers of the town. He wished to say that a good many, especially “non-comformists,” did not understand I many tilings about the Catholic Church and the High Church of Knglanad. Incidentally, Cr. Hunter mentioned that he was not a member of any Church, being a member of the Society of Friends. In reply to an interjection by Cr. Young. Cr. Hunter said: “You would be well to belong to them too!” (Laughter). They could treat the matter lightly or right, but he considered it should be dealt with seriously. There was the question of turning out to early church services as well as other gatherings when the lights out. There was no getting away from the fact that some people had to be out during this time, when they were greatly inconvenienced. Cr. Hunter stated that lie understood the cost to the Council was about £1 per night just now; of course, it would not be. so high in the summer. He asked what was the Council going to save over the arrangement. He thought the Council should confer with the Company and make some arrangement and have the lights burning all night. He moved in that direction. „ Cr. Lawson seconded. Cr. Young opposed the motion, and said other towns economised in this direction. The Council should give it a trial,; although he well recognised the object of the representatives of the Churches. Cr. Davey agreed with Cr. Young, The ..Mayor moved that the representatives ol the Churches be informed that the Council cannot see its way at present to rescind the resolution. He felt satisiied that tin l Council was safeguarding the people in the matter of morality. Females were not as a rule out after one o’clock without escorts, and he did not think in that respect there was any harm in the lights being out. Perhaps it might lie better for the sake of the police and in the interests of the peo pie against burglary. But doctors and others who had to move about in those hours were not worse off. as they had motor cars, which were provided with lights. At any rate, with the streets lights going it was dark between the lights. Other towns put the lights out, he stated, mentioning Hawera. Eltham, New Plymouth, Wellington, some of them at midnight. Cr. Lawson said he was sorry so many of the Councillors were absent--(by this time Cr. Rutherford had also obtained leave of absence). Cr. Lawson. continuing, said it was an important matter. He would sooner see the discussion held over until another night. Cr. Hunter said he was agreeable to that course. The motion was lost and Cr. Lawson’s further motion, seconded by Cr. Hunter, that the matter be held over until next Monday night was also lost. The substantive motion that the Council cannot see its way clear to rescind the motion was then put and carried, the division list being as follows: Ayes—The Mayor ami Crs. Young, Davey and Hancock; Nous—Crs. Lawson and Hunter.