STILL CLEANING UP.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 November 1916, Page 3

STILL CLEANING UP.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—lt would be a pity to see the C. and P. Society waste all their energy and talents in attempting gomething that w>.|ll! not eventuate; -the time is not opportune for such a move as there are so many calls, in other ways, of. greater importance. Still, there is plenty of scope ,for them to develop their talents. For instance, we can take one item o*f their program, tlie children, which is of more importance than the rest of their program. There is not the earnest interest taken in the children's childbouk and welfare that should 1 be. -Many people forget that they have once been children and look on children as a nuisance. Children of today are no worse than our parents and grandparents were in their day; the fault is ours, and the environments. If we wish children to grow up and be a credit and blessing to their parents and worthy citizens, then we must tpare a little more trime and •interest ourselves in their childhood, by example. They are only children once, and it is while they are children tliit their lives an' being moulded for their future. That being so there i« a great responsibility resting on all shoulders. Children have foelings, are naturally tender-hearted and sensitive, and are quick at detecting slights; and oil the other hand' they appreciate any little acts of kindness and justice. With priclie, we go to the bookshelf, and take down book after book, prizes won in our boyhood 01 giilhood days at school. How we prize them. In the old schooldays, in most parts of the colony, the children looked forward to the Xmas holidays and! the distribution of prfcee. The children got something more than a certificate of merit. Here wo have one of the best schools in the colony, and what is being done to encourage them in their studios, and to acknowledge theiir ability? Practically nothing. "Where are the teachers, school committee and parents? iHere iis a grand open ng for the C. and P. Society to load the way in raising funds by conceits or other means for prizes

o'< t*_ - c-a.-ir ni'vvs appearing in iii 11 issue .iivredited to the Times has been published in that journal, but only where expressly stat•*l :3 surh now? the aditorial opinion of The Times;.

for the children. Our boys have a dual purpose to serve: they have to fill in the gaps made by the war. and take thei'i 1 own places in life. Now ,is the time to give them a lift aiong. —I am, etc., SAIXDY McXAB.