Picnics denounced as Methodists meet

The general question of Sabbath desecration (involving picnicking, camping, boating, weekend excursions, Besses o' th' Barn Band concerts etc) came before the New Zealand Methodist Conference yesterday, and with practically no discussion the following resolution was carried: - "The Conference deplores the general laxity of the public in relation to the observance of the Sabbath.

"The common custom of picnicking on Sundays and the institution of weekend excursions and Saturday-to-Monday camps are to be deprecated; and it warns our people against a growing tendency, even among professing Christians, to regard the Lord's Day as a legitimate occasion for physical recreation."

The Rev W. Ready, speaking in connection with this resolution, deplored the harbour excursions held in Auckland on Sundays, which, he declared, were entirely opposed to Christian influences.

He strongly protested against the Besses o' th' Barn Band being permitted to play on the Sabbath for money, as was the case last Sunday.

The authorities did not allow theatrical companies to take money on Sundays, and yet this band was taking money in the Caledonian Ground.

It ill became the band, seeing that it came to this Dominion seeking the support of the public, that it should act in this way.

Although they appreciated its music very much, they could not but feel that this practice of giving concerts on the Lord's Day was detrimental to the moral welfare of the community.

The bookmaker, the totalisator, and Tattersall's were thus dealt with in a resolution by the Methodist Conference yesterday: - "The Conference recognises the measures enacted by the Legislature for the diminution of gambling, and the sincere efforts of the police for the enforcement of these laws.

It believes, however, that the totalisator is the nursery of the gambling propensity; and, further, that the licensed bookmaker has of late become a greater evil than ever, and that there is a widespread and insidious habit in factories and other aggregations of men and of boys and young women in the direction of remitting money to Tattersall's.

It consequently believes that these three evils - the totalisator, the bookmakers, and Tattersall's - require for their suppression new and more drastic legislation, and urges our people to continued and increased agitation for their abolition."