Mayor Perturbed By Growing Moral Laxity in Dominion

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1942, Page 4

Mayor Perturbed By Growing Moral Laxity in Dominion

Call to citizens to support reform movement. Christchurch, Sept. 1. "As Mayor of this city, I desire to say that I, too, am deeply perturbed at certain moral and spiritual tendenoies in our country, and I want to commend this move initiated in our city," said the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr. E. H. Andrews, when appealing for the support of citizens to the Movement for Moral Reform. "I am particularly perturbed about the shockingly lax morals of many of our young people. In my position I am made awa're of gross immorality even amongst boys and girls of school age, and I am gravely concerned for the future of our nation if this tendency is not curbed. ^ "I am not suggestmg that Christchurch is worse or perhaps even as bad as other cities, but the facts remain that these evils exist and they must be drastically dealt with if we are to build up a virile and healthy nation." Mr. Andrews said that for some weeks past a group of Christchurch citizens, including clergy and ministers, greatly perturbed by the present moral situation in New Zealand, had been meeting to see how best the position might be confronted. "Because it is not enough to just denounce social evils, but necessary to submit constructive criticism and practical proposals, there were set up certain sub-committees on which specialists were invited to sit. These sub-committees for two months have been collecting and investigating a great deal of information regarding social and moral questions, and pursuing investigations as to how best the problems associated there - with can be met. "It is now proposed to hold a great mass meeting in order that the public conscience may be aroused and that representation be made to secure some kind of moral reform in our land. Such a meeting was mooted many weeks ago, but it was decided not to move until the work of investigation was more adVanced. Some centres have already held such meetings, and others are at present organising them." The Mayor said that in the strictures on moral laxity quoted above he knew he had the sympathy of every rightthinking man and woman. "I would therefore like to call the people of Christchurch to this great meeting of citizens."