OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1942, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

DANCE AT THE COLLEGE (To the Editor.) Sir, —If space will permit me, I would like to express resentment at i the attitude of the writers of the letter over the norn de plume, “Just Troopers,” published in your paper of today. Re the matter of'strength , and value of chairs, and men’s behaviour, this is not a matter for controversy, but a matter of principle. As regards the soldier who replied, “O.K. 0.K.” when spoken to by Mr Gair, this man was entering a ladies’ convenience, and did not stop when asked, but walked right in—a fact omitted by‘“Just Troopers” in their criticism. And had the men referred to by them as knowing how to give orders been present, he would have been escorted from the dance. As a parent and also 1 a soldier, I consider Mr Gain’s indignation amply justified when expressing his views on such disorderly and unsoldierly conduct. Parents of attending pupils would certainly be indignant should Mr Gair condone such latitude. . . Iff my opinion, men who will solicit public sympathy by playing up “the mud, slush and straw,” are not of the stuff of which heroes are made, and will always remain ‘Just Troopers.” —Thanking you. —I am, etc., “JUST ANOTHER TROOPER.” Masterton, November 18. PROTEST SUPPORTED (To the Editor.) Sir,—Parents of scholars of Wairarapa College, as well as sober-minded citizens of Masterton generally, should solidly support Mr Gair, its ActingPrincipal, for the correct view he takes regarding its fine Assembly Hall and playing and scenic areas being in any degree misused to such an extent as calls for further rigid inquiry in any case. War or no war, and apart from all misspent sympathy for those who are said to be going into battle to bring about a new order of conduct superior to that of the Hun or the Jap, and set such a' poor example of discipline as flagrantly to take advantage of the College Hall not being a licensed dance hall where police action might easily have brought such things to an end from the outset, the sooner the College Hall is licensed and under police control, the better for all concerned. — Yours, etc., LAW’& ORDER. Masterton, November 19. ' LIQUOR REGULATIONS (To the Editor.) Sir,—l am sure most people will agree with the protest made .by the Acting-Principal, Mr F. J. Gair, at the conduct of the military dance held in the Assembly Hall of the College last Friday night. Far -too many people are afraid of becoming unpopular if they speak of such happenings, even though it is for the good of the community as a whole. If we are to believe what.we read, liquor has played quite a part in the dreadful happenings in the Pacific. There are severa Iquesfions that might be asked. Where did the liquor come from, and how did it get to the College? According to the new regulations, no person may sell or supply -to, or act as agent to procure for, any member of the Armed Forces any liquor for off consumption. Tjiere seems to have been a serious breach of that regulation. By whom? — I am, etc., SARAH TANKERSLEY,

President Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Masterton Branch. Masterton, November 18.

Other letters have been received supporting the protest made by the Act-ing-Principal of Wairarapa College and condemning the view that latitude should be extended to soldiers where orderly conduct is concerned. Ed.