STRIKE OF CHURCH CHOIR.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3337, 15 November 1919, Page 6

STRIKE OF CHURCH CHOIR.

‘The recént choir strike» at ?St. Matthesv’s, Auckland, brings to mind a choir strike at Hawera about 35 years ago, when the Rev, W. L. Slater, who

was well-known in Auckland, was the central figure. The choir of -the Methodist Church had, previously to Mr Saltcr’s time, been accustomed to sit at the back of the church, at the extreme end from the pulpit, but the new minister wanted the position altered so_ that the singing might be conducted from seats placed around the pulpit, and with this end in view, had the organ removed from the back of the church to the place where he wished it to be up near the front. The choir took up their seats in the new position at the morning service, but were not satisfied, but in the af-tern-oon some of the membprs went quieitly back to the church and moved the ‘organ to its old position. B'y some means the Minister -got an inkling of what had happened, and going early to the church before the evening service, took ofl’ his coat, and with the help of the church ofiicer, -again managed to get the organ up near the pulpit steps. The division between the minister’s idea and the choir’s wishes was not very marked, the choir as a body struck, and many members of the congregation showed their sympathy with" the choir by abstaining from going to church. For many Sundays the church xrns practically empty. It is told by the old residents in Hawera how Mr Sulter emptied the- church, and it is also told to his credit how he, after a period, filled the building to overflowing again. and the choir members returned to their seats where he wanted them to” sit.