Sunday Fun
That the House of Commons should have refused to approve the opening of the so-called Fun Fair on Sundays is not surprising ; the size of the majority by which it took that decision is. The decision is not to be regretted, though no doubt it will be hailed in some quarters with cries of hypocrisy and cant and similar substantives of objurgation. It was suggested in these columns when the Com- mons debate was first under discussion that a good deal depended on the nature of the attractions in the amusement park. It appears that they include swings and roundabouts and switchbacks and the like. The case for such diversions as an integral part'of the Festival of Britain on any day of the week might well be questioned ; the case against making them available on Sundays under at least indirect Government auspices is much stronger. The whole of the rest of the Festival will be open, including the natural attractions in Battersea Park to which the Attorney-General made reference. The fare the amusement park offers is not likely in itself to offer any attraction to overseas visitors ; they can see the same sort of thing, or better, at home. Neither is it a question of deciding what pleasures other people should take. It is a question of what pleasures the Govern- ment should provide on Sundays—a very different matte-. The decision to leave the whole question to a free vote of the House of Commons was wise ; when Whips are off the House does very faith- fully reflect the general opinion of the country. Few tears will be shed at the decision the House has taken. Not many would have been shed if the opposite decision had been taken. The House has acted on the whole in accordance with national tradition, and no good cause for departing from the tradition has been shown.
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