SPORT ON SUNDAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 826, 21 November 1929, Page 10

SPORT ON SUNDAY

DEVONPORT COUNCIL Will NOT STOP IT CLERGY'S PLEA TURNED DOWN l.utlc hope that the I»evonport lu. ou?.-h < ounctl would try to rigid!. . Fi Cr Un Oevonport Cld c| Ut IO a I 100 r I -eh , ro WS ,‘ Tl o Mavo"‘ n j**S ?• wo.Ild.»; Loud si ' ~s I Tho deputation, wltk-h wiwtet-a mo Ilex. \Y 1.m.-on A,.„vh I Anulicam. , 1 . 1.. lar\ . - im. Auitustme-s ‘;;'v sub »‘«3* 1 Ihe l opin"on'‘\’.; the I That in \ T\y of the serious h,„ i ',j.V ' . "Olh C.IUS 1 la in unthinking ilv regard 01 the prime purpose of I Ijttrd's lie. and holding also u , I tho preservation of a universal dav ol rest is essenti.il to the best it rosts of th- win io lommuntty ,1 1 , be S t» draw th. attention of the I bers of the Hovunport Korour' Council to the recent innovation ," „ Sunday s mus in the public I ami other places provided out public funds, and urge tu at J council exercise its veto again,. * a kin,! sundaj and ah-> ; gainst unrestricted ft playing on that day. The ltev. TV I .aw son .Marsh I spokesman, was vehement in Ufc iSk( . tion that the Church had a prupert,' riglit in Sunday and that it was the I duty of the council io assist ti« Church in maintaining its rights. Hi, suggestion that the debate be not tv ported was not accepted by the countTie claimed that the Churches wer* not out in any selfish interest, but m the public interest and it Mas cru* ignorance, moral blindness and selfish ness that made some people :snoreihF fact that the business of the ehurchp was to cultivate the qualities anc ' things that made life worth living Instancing Anzac Day. as showi* how the private rights of people cvq£ be invaded by law. and an abstention from games and other amusements insisted on. the Rev. M. March <onsidere that if the State could legislate, as y had in the Summer Time Act, for th* benefit of sport, the local bodies eouli equally legislate in the direction <v supporting the churches against th* infinitesimal number of selfish peopithat would prefer games on Sunda to promoting the influence of thr churches. Mr. Marsh denied that the clergr were “kill-joys ’: that was a cheap jibe they- were not out to dictate how I individual should pass Sunday. Tbr 1 Cliurcli did not resist reasonable rt- I creation on Sunday, but it should b*- f given a fair chance to carry out ip I work on that day. “How many child- [ ren would be strong enougli to rea«; play if it were allowed in schoo hours?” Mr. Marsh asked. :n suppor . of his contention that the emptatkm of sport was an unfair advantage to j young people who could not apprecia:tho issues involved between Godless- * ness and Christianity. NATIONAL POSSESSION It was also a misconception to assert i that the Roman Catholic Church die not mind how its adherents passed Sunday if they attended the morning ; services: he had that on the best authority. On the Continent, where the Roman Cliurcli had an influence in the manner in which Sunday shouk * bo observed, games were allowed only during certain hours. Sunday was * national and Imeprial possession. Admitting that he would not resign his vice-presidency in the Ngataringu Tennis Club, even if it persisted in Sunday play, the Rev. F. G. Ham denied that the clergy was obsessec with any puritanical spirit; Sundawas essential to maintaining the Em pirc. The Rev. H. D. Wingfield though | that license was often assumed to b ■ synonimous with liberty; the counc.. I should endeavour to remove that cot- I fusion. Replying to a question. Mr. Mus I said that they did not desire to sto: , children playing, in a natural way, or. tho domains; the clergy were entire: against organised sport; tennis cWj were playing on Sundays and organs ing tournaments. Challenged to nar clubs that did so, Mr. Marsh amend his statement to claiming that if ph: was permitted to continue, toumamer - would soon be organised. “In my youth even whistling singing on Sunday were looked askance,” said Mr. K. Aldridge, t> Mayor, ' but the world lias progress j since those Puritanical days. Even we have become*too broad in ourvk T: las judged by the standard of ta- : Ghureh. we must recognise that id * • seaside community such as Devoapo: I where all the transit services wag • operate and where numerous flock at week-ends for relaxation, •' cannot enforce rigid rules for Saw**' t observance. The council has, and v:.. discourage organised play in eVldiplomatic way, but councils hav< be guided, not only by what is etideally right, but by what is expeds®.It is a question ol reconciling j different opinions. I agree that, I the strict sense, it is not right to P* ! games on Sunday, but we cannot ; lutely prohibit them. I “TJie fault is not with | clergymen, but with the chanf - ! spirit which has evolved from I hurry of modern life and the I required for modern civilisation, c °- j- tinued Mr. Aldridge. "The would try to lead public opinion than be dragged behind it, but M w . jbe entirely against public opinion - ; common sense to oppose public Sf . ■on Sunday in Devonport, evtn H . . | council could enforce its decrees 1® ] direction, which I doubt,” NO FORMAL MOTION Mr. J. H. Ellisdon moved thai: t--i council endorse the Mayors at ““‘ i but Mr. Aldridge said be would I ask for a formal motion. Mr. j Cassels-Brown. who admitted to*- ' , now plac ed the piano on Sun h .. ! though brought up in a home ® i whistling on Sunday was -JT | was surprised that the issue hah raised by the clergy. He felt u ‘ ! sound mind in a body was the - t and emphasised that many iCI “. -J played games on Sunday * 1 is . t€n .p!ni over the wireless, on Sunday ev | to the sermons broadcast. ~ j churches were supplying mucr. | congregations than might be K in the churches. cot I “Subtle and unjust.” was tn ment by the Rev. Mr. Marslt on * i tion raised by Mr. F. T. Eyre, | why rich people could play go - . the poorer classes could not P- - _ nis. the rights of democracy . ; supported. “The selfishness oi v richer and better educated classes - • i playing of golf only proves how ! cult it i:i for the rich to cm ( Kingdom ol God.” he said. % Mr. C. M. Browne, president ' Xgataringa Tennis Club. i that Sunday games were not • of the lack of interest !n the cn ,'T-d : j as shown by the ya.ung people. not believe in Sunday play, but not be stopped without ,nore " jt i consequences. "Would an y°vconJ j stone a man for gathering stiCKs i Sabbath?” he asked. , .n* Mr. Marsh said that the ■ ] i-ic nii-f : v : ; Mr. \irtii<is» c j matic restriction of Sunday P* j l9 be pursued.