“INSULT TO AUCKLAND”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 747, 21 August 1929, Page 7

“INSULT TO AUCKLAND”

MAKING CHILDREN STAND IN FULL TRAMS RESOLUTION RESCINDED The Transport Board’s recent regulation that school children holding concession cards must give up their seats to adults when tramcars are full was rescinded by the board at its meeting yesterday. is an insult not only to the people of Auckland, but also to the parents and teachers in our schools,” said Mr. L. E. Rhodes, who moved that the regulation be rescinded. “Boys should be taught to give up their seats j to their elders, but not by compulsion ' of the Transport Boai'd. and it has to be admitted that there are cases when children cannot be expected to stand as, for instance, when carrying a heavy case of books in one hand and a lunch-bag in the other.” ’ This clause is arbitrary, unfair ancl wrong in principle,” Mr. Rhodes continued. ’T do not think that it received due consideration when it came before the board on a previous occasion. It is not part of our duty to teach children manners, but to provide transport facilities; the other is the duty of the parents and school teachMr. E. 11. Potter, who seconded, said it was his experience that school girls were always willing to give up their seats when occasion suggested such an action. Mr. M. J. Coyle objected to rescinding a resolution once it had been passed. The clause had come from edLicationists themselves. TEACHING OF MANNERS “I support the motion because I think it is the duty of educational authorities to teach our children manners, and not this board,” said Mr G. G. Ashley. The chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said that if he had afiticipated so much trouble he would never have agreed to the clause. Mr. E. J. Phelan was opposed from the start because he felt girls should not be asked to stand. If the regulation applied only to boys he thought it would be supported unanimously. The motion to rescind was carried by six votes to three, those in favour being Messrs. Rhodes, Morton, Phelan, Ashley, "Wood and Potter, and those against Messrs. Allum, Coyle and Baildon.