THE LAW ON THE OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY.

Freethought Review, Volume I, Issue 12, 1 September 1884, Page 8

THE LAW ON THE OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY.

The following letter is from Mr. William Cooper :

Sir. —In referring to Mr. Stout’s telegram as to Sunday charges for admission you appear to doubt the correctness of his opinion, and to question his ability to arrive at an unbiassed conclusion on this particular matter. It is quite true that Baxter v Langley is not a parallel case to that of the Rationalistic Association, but neither is that of the Brighton Aquarium. The matter appears to be one of those peculiar questions which a contested case can alone decide. This of course means the risk of heavy responsibility and serious expense, whether the prosecution were successful or not. Feeling this, I promised Mr. Superintendent Thomson that no charge should be made last Sunday, as it would have been clearly wrong to involve the Association so seriously without its express sanction. The whole matter hinges upon the question whether the old statute, 2i Geo. 111., c 49, is in force in New Zealand or not. If it be considered “ applicable to the circumstances of the colony,” it is in force here. Mr. Stout’s opinion is that it is not in force; an eminent legal firm of this city have advised that it is in force, and Mr. Williamson, the Crown Solicitor, has apparently come to the same conclusion. I may state, however, that Judge Johnston and Mr. W. S. Reid, the Commissioners appointed under ‘ ‘ The Revision of Statutes Act, 1879,” appear to favour Mr. Stout’s, view, for in the volume of Imperial Statutes apparently in force in New Zealand, published by the Government in 1881, the statute in question is not included. Next Sunday morning the Association will decide on the course to be taken for the future. — am, &c., Wm. Cooper.