YOUTHFUL MANNERS.

Evening Star, Issue 23697, 3 October 1940, Page 12

YOUTHFUL MANNERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In a recent issue of the ‘ Evening Star ’ a long letter appeared complaining of the conduct of schoolboys on the DuneclinPort Chalmers train. “ Port Line’s ” indictment of the boys was absurd in the extreme. I have three sons who have travelled up to High School during the last 10 or 12 years. One is still doing so, and the other two have proved their manhood by offering for service immediately on the outbreak of war, and are now serving the colours. “ Port Lino ” stated in his letter that the younger boys’ clothes were often torn to shreds and the air blue with foul language, not to speak of smoking, etc. All through ray association with the train boys I have seen no clothes being torn, and as for his other assertion 1 am confident that those healthy young lads are typical examples of British youth. Now, to crown this outburst, the head master at the Otago Boys’ High School has stopped the use of railway passes by the lads because they will not tell who called out a certain remark. What are our schools coming to? Is the punishment on the boys or their parents? Personally, I would feel like punishing my boy severely if he told on his mates. In conclusion, 1 know the train prefect very well, and am certain that nothing untoward could happen in his company, as he is an excellent type of boy who has complete control of the hoys and whom the lads respect. I trust that this letter will implant a little understanding into the hearts of those concerned, remembering that we were all young once, and hoys will be boys in our free country.—l am, etc., A Father. October 3.