LURE OF DANCES.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18232, 17 November 1924, Page 11

LURE OF DANCES.

.■ "'.■'■ : .....»„ -::.:.; FARM WORK INTERRUPTED.

v HOSPITALITY TO CADETS;; The wealth of hospitality that. - is being extended" to dame of the-'English public school, boys to the-detriment, of a-'full--and proper interest in . their chosen] life,,.was..'.strongly, commented on in a letter read, at a meeting, of the council of-the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce .from a fanner who is employing-one of; the hoys, -

' • The -opinion' was" expressed by* 'the farmer• that it was. high'.'time something was done regarding the number of invitations that were .being given .to the boys ;to be present'' at-"At .homes'' and other: functions, of a like' nature in' New Plymouth at night." The boy with him had been •to several such functions, and on the last occasion that he had asked for a day off it had been given with pleasure. At five o 'clock however, a telegram had arrived stating that he was-staying in town for. a dance, which meant that'he would not be back on the farm until nine'o'clock next morning. ' A few days'ago a.letter arrived inviting the" boy to' an "At home,'' dancing to commence at .• S p.mi "I don't care whether—is at home or abroad,'' ; the farmer said. "My cows- have-to be milked,.:and if the boy is not here to help someone else will have to -do- -his"work;" - —■ -

Busy Time on Farina, . • The..faxmer_.add£d-.±hat.i if the' boy went on that occasion he.would ha,ve to go for good. , In-was .unnecessary ■for him to describe "life on a dairy farm in the height -of•• the season, and he was certain he was not.going.to put any extra work on to his wife,-who already had quit.e. enough to do. . He did not blame the boy altogether, but he • thought; that rather much fuss -was being made ; over .the. boys by people in town,, and this "svas turning the heads.of some of them. ■',-. •■■'■.".

The position was;summed up shortly by Mr. Gordon Eraser, .president of' the \ Chamber., '.'Certain ladies; with a .laudahle, desires to. mother.: the boys on arrival and to assist .the.'Chamber, have been kind enougli to offer hospitality to them, "he said. . This was ; very much appreciated, : but ,it must ] remembered:.that, these boys- had come to Taranaki ;to learn farming, •most- of them with little or no money beyond what -they earned. ■ It. could not be expected-that in the-.flush of the dairy .season the boys, could .be spared the timeto attend functions in New Plymouth, and most of the bo'ysi recognised this. ..-"•' ."...' "Unfortunately, too, somewhat severe criticism of the condition of home life in Taranaki has been made by persons quite outside, the Chamber," Mr Fraser- continued. "Some farmers have heard of these criticisms, and naturally keenly resent :the suggestion that the boys are undergoing severe hardship 'by lining as they do. They are under the impression, and in my opinion rightly so, that it i is no kindness to the boys to unsettle them in th 9 busy, time of-the year."

Boys Settling Down. Having come • ih"ihtim'ate ; contact with most' of the boys, Mr Fraser said, without hesitation, that they • had settled down excellently,." and were keen and anxious to . learn-. When the slack time" came in ' the : winter they.would be entitled to a little'recreation, and he.= was- sure the farmers would permit "it, : butjust- now' it. would be better if they were left alone. Mr Fraser added that - allowing some boys to accept invitations . caused . feeling among the boys.. who. could not go, and, in any.case, It. means, needless friction.. and.;disturbance. in . their -occupation. The opinion was unanimous that the invitations were sent to the boys with the very best' intentions of-making their :stay in' Taranaki:.a.pleasant,one," but that, it-was not "generally realised that" acceptance of the invitations was interfering with their work. It wa3 thought that a hint in the Press would settle- the difficulty, and it was decided to let the -matter drop in the meaaiLsafi» ■'-._*_