GOOD FRIDAY PICTURES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 954, 23 April 1930, Page 18

GOOD FRIDAY PICTURES

PROTEST AT NORTHCOTE QUESTION OF PRECEDENT On behalf of the vestry of St. John the Baptist Church, the vicar, the Rev. F. W. Wilkes, wrote to the Northcote Borough Council last evening protesting against the altered decision of the council in permitting pictures to be screened in the picture theatre on Good Friday. Mr. Wilkes asked that the council would consider the feelings of a large section of the people, who could not but regard the action of the council as a direct violation of the most sacred day of the year. The Mayor, Mr. A. E. Greenslade, said that the council’s first decision not to allow pictures to be screened on that day was due to a misconception. The council did not wish to create a precedent and as no record cf previous decision could be found, they had declined the application. However, it had been clearly shown that pictures had been previously screened on that night, and on re-application permission had been granted. The council did not represent one section of the community, but had to consider the community as a whole. The attendance at the pictures had shown that a large section of the community desired them. The subject had been considered in a broad sense and the whole aspect considered. Cr. W. C. Elliss considered that as the representations were from a strong section of the community their wishes should be given effect to and thought that the protest should be considered. It was ultimately decided merely to receive the letter.