IN THE SWIM

NZ Truth, Issue 1149, 8 December 1927, Page 8

IN THE SWIM

The truth of the revised saying "to the pure all things are impure" has been plainly emphasized m Auckland during the course of the recent inquiry into the matter of the suggested Dixieland baths. A GLANCE around the room m which the inquiry was held, and a sensing of the atmosphere was enough to convince any reasonably, healthy person that though we live m the twentieth century we are after all only removed from such barbarities as burning for witchcraft, or the branding of the iron for the sins of youthful indiscretion, by a very small margin. The testimony of several whose. pro^fession m life is alleged to be uplift, went to prove how woefully out of touch they are with the normally healthy young men and women of the age. On the\}ther hand, it is more or less necessary to consider seriously some of the statements of several persons who desire to impress the citizens .of the largest city m the Dominion with the weightiness of their considered opinions. J. Stanton, the city solicitor, for instance, m opposing the erection of private baths, made the candid admission that there was the matter of profit to be considered. He labored the question by saying that m no case did the proceeds of the baths which the council at present controlled exceed the expenditure. Surely it is going a bit too far when a corporate body arrogate to themselves the right to say that a private enterprise shall not be pursued because there is a chance that it may not be profitable. What arouses the ire of ' N.Z. Truth," and a vast majority of the clean-minded younger citizens, is the tone m which the city's representatives sought to bolster up their untenable contention that private enterprise should not embark on a sane and 'healthy enterprise. It is only by the reasoning processes—we use the term out of courtesy— of a body of men whom Lawyer Northcroft aptly designates as of "peculiar mentality" that the proximity of dancing and. bathing can be considered immoral. It indicates that possibly the councillors assimilate their knowledge of notions from a certain type of American films which pass the censor. Now, however, that private enterprise displays a desire to provide for the people a much-needed, and up-to-date swimming bath, the' .lity councillors rush into the breach with cries of "Keep off! You can't play m our yard." And to show how whole-hearted they are m their intentions they announce hot haste that they will borrow £12,000 when the citizens approve the loan, and erect baths themselves. Never, probably, m this Dominion has a body of city legisla- . tors cut a poorer figure m the eyes of electors. This paper feels safe m forecasting that if that proposed loan of £12,000 is ever put to the overburdened ratepayers of the Queen City it will go west. For the edification of those who might be inclined to waver we advise them to take a glance at the Kiosk m Parnell Park, which cost the best part of £1000, or take a stroll around that plaza of inspiration for oounoillors, th* Civio Square.