SUNDAY PICTURES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 17 March 1917, Page 4

SUNDAY PICTURES.

PETITION A REFERENDUM* MEETS WITH COLE RECEPTION* At the meeting of the Borough Council last night, Cr. Joblin presented a petition signed by v 217 residents of Taihape praying that I poll be taken at the Municipal eWPions as to whether pictures should be allowed to be showm in Taihape on Sunday evenings. Cr. Joblin, in speaking, in support of the petition, said that the petitionersdid not ask for Sunday pictures, but simply that a poll be taken as to whether they should be allowed to be shown. Though there was no special powers that allowed a poll of this kind to be taken at the same time as the Municipal elections were held, there was nothing to prevent it. To his mind the request was a fair and reasonable one, and was alternative to putting in a Council that would restore Sunday pictures. The petition was signed by people both for and against Sunday pictures; it was simply to test public opinion on the matter. He moved that the Mayor, Town Clerk, and himself be appointed a committee to enable a poll be taken in accordance with the request of the petitioners. w After a lapse of some time, His Worship said: “Will any Councillor second the motion to enable the question to be discussed® ” Cr. Wrightson: “I will second the motion pro forma.” The Mayor said this would be a good opportunity for councillors to state where they stood in regard to the matter. Personally, lie would shut up the picture shows. Cr. Joblin: “Your Worship, shutting up the pictures is not before the Council.” The Mayor: “Supposing a referendum was taken, it would not be binding on the new Council, which could or could not give effect to the result of the referendum as it saw fit. I am not in favour of Sunday pictures, ox pictures at all during the war. The picture industry must be classed as nonessential in way-time. I am not in favour of the referendum. As far as I know there are only two boroughs in New Zealand —Ohakune and Greymouth —where Sunday pictures are shown. Taihape is classed by some outside people as “a place where Sunday pictures are shown, ’ ’ and that fact was nothing to be proud of.”

Cr. Joblin said as far' as the new Council was concerned, he wohld take it that the result of the poll Would be a mandate from the Racing in his opinion, was a greater scandal than * Sunday pictures, 'and yet they were tolerated. He hoped the Council would give effect to request of the petitioners. Cr. Wrightson said there us evidently a threat that if the council does not consent to Sunday pictures, a council will be put in that will. He was strong against Sunday pictures, he had no hesitation in saying that. He would not ask for any supporters of Sunday pictures to vote for him. Cr Joblin "s’ motion was then put to the meeting. The Mayor, Crs Turnbull, Cunninghamc, Hcaly, and "W right-on voting against the motion, and Cr Joblin for.