SUNDAY THEATRES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 May 1942, Page 4

SUNDAY THEATRES

FOR TROOPS AND WAR WORKERS

LIMITED CONCESSION IN SYDNEY. ONUS PUT ON THE STATE GOVERNMENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, Noon.) SYDNEY, This Day. Agitation over Sunday entertainment for troops and war workers continues in Sydney. A considerable voice in public opinion appears to feel that the Government’s decision to open one “flesh and blood” theatre and one picture theatre in the city (beginning next Sunday) does not go far enough. American and Australian Army representatives have intimated that this will meet their needs. Controversy now rages around the question of extending equal privileges to vast numbers engaged in essential munitions work. Those responsible hope to secure permission for the opening of certain suburban theatres. Mr Curtin ' (Federal Prime Minister) has put the onus on State Premiers. He says: “If something cannot be left to the Premiers, I see no reason for the State Governments. If entertainment and hotel hours are considered insufficient, that is a matter between the public and the State Government ■concerned. I am not doing any more about it.”

Federal National Security Regulations sanctioning Sunday theatres hi(ve still to be gazetted. No legislation will be passed repealing State laws affecting Sunday observance. The move is entirely a war emergency measure. A prominent theatrical personality defined the Sydney action as “the feeblest possible sop to the people—those who want the theatres shut and those who want them open. It also a disgraceful insult to munitions workers and other war workers who are not in uniform.”

No decision has yet been reached concerning the Sunday entertainment of troops stationed in New South Wales outside the Sydney area. In Western Australia, Sunday night shows have been held for some time. South Australian theatres are now open to troops, while the Tasmanian Government has opened theatres to war workers as well as to troops. An undertaking has been given that all features not in keeping with the spirit of Sunday will be eliminated and that the churches can be assured of a genuine desire to maintain the sanctity of Sunday. The theatres make no profit on their shows. • Any profit goes to patriotic or charity funds. A representative of the United States Army whose cry “Give us Sunday shows or we will make our own” started the present agitation, declined to comment when asked if he thought two theatres in Sydney would accommodate all the troops wishing to attend. Meanwhile, Sydney is awaiting with interest the outcome of its first Sunday night theatre entertainments.