SUNDAY PICTURES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 17 February 1917, Page 5

SUNDAY PICTURES.

To the Editor. Sir,—A s the original discussion ro Sunday Pictures has ended apparently in a semi-personal duel between "Worker" and myself, 1 am resolved to make this my final effort. My decision to withdraw will doubtless cause a smile to overspread the countenance of "Worker/ 5 inasmuch as lie will pride himself in the belief that his strong argument has been the cause of my takin« this step. No sir, these are my reasons for making the move. In the first place it is unreasonable to suppose that your paper staff is pleased with the extra amount of work we have given, and for either "Worker"' or myself to think that "Daily Times" readers get any amusement or enlightenment from, our correspondence I should say is am insult to common sense. Again " Worker" and myself are two extremes, and it is impossible for either one to convert the other, ill.- is seemingly so annoyed at my narro.vmiiidedness (if you please) that hi;; temperanirc iias risen, by several degrees. He asks me to cultivate a broader mind. I say is he a fit and proper person to pass judgment on me? My day business does not allow me to he anything other than a person of wide ideas. In a single, day I come in contact with practically every class of person, which makes it impossible for me to be anything but a genuine cosmopolitan. His accusation that I have side-stepped previous writers is only his opinion. What do "previous writers" think? lie finds fault also with my statement, without proof, that what he has written is bluff and rubbish. Can any reader sum it up as being to th e contrary. My candid opinion of "Worker" is that he is a pompous individual, so engrossed in himself that it is beyond him to do or say anything wrong. Now to get back to Sunday Pictures. I am still a conscientious upholder of this evil, and at the next Council election the seven (or less) aspirants to the Council honours whose policy it is to keep down this vice, can guarantee to receive the support of myself; also my wife and family. I am, etc., CHURCHMAN.

To the Editor. Shy—As the writer was not present at the Council meeting when the question was dealt with, and as there has been some discussion in your columns and apparently some interest over the Council's decision, it is only right that the townspeople should know what, the absent Councillors would have done had they been present. At any rate "i would like them to knew where I in

this mutter. Had I been present (wag away at Hawke's Bay and did not know that tin' question was coming on) I would have strongly supported the motion. I believe, like Councillor Bennett, that six nights of pictures is all we can afford just now. We have been asked in view of the grave and great Imperial crisis through which we are passing to husband our financial (and all other) resources, and put something by for a rainy day and our homecoming wonndej and stricken heroes. If we really can afford to part with the money spent on Sunday night pictures, then let its put it into a Red Cross box. There would be no trouble to find one and the sum total would amount to a nice little weekly contribution.

On the question of Church and Pictures for Sunday night, the writer has nothing to say., except this: I go to church on Sunday night because I wish. to, and admit the right of other people to go to pictures if they wish to. I really don't think the pictures makes any difference to the church attendance. People cannot be made church goers or picture supporters by resolution of a borough council. Before we had the indulgence people did not go to church, very strongly, and now that the pictures are stopped the attendance will probably not increase, and as a councillor the question of church would not influence me in the slightest. I would try to act on broad lines and what was considered best for the public wish. In two months time the people will have a chance to deal with the councillors if they have no confidence in them. The question of Sunday pictures can bo made a test one if there is nothing of greater moment to interest them, and I for one will very cheerfully accept the people 's vote and willingly give up my seat to a better man. In the meantime I stand behind those four councillors who for good or for ill, for approval or disapproval, for better or worse, decided as they did. They are straightforward, conscientious men doing what they think best for the public good, regardless of consequences, and in this question of Sunday pictures I wish to stand in with. them and nail my colours to the mast. 1 am, etc., A. J. JOBLIN.