JUVENILE COURTESY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 213, 8 September 1899, Page 2

JUVENILE COURTESY.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—There is a fact which is impressing itself on the minds of all thoughtful persons, namely, the -want of cour« tesy and respect of the rising generation for their elders. My little son having lately come from a country school, wnero children really love their master, ana having begun to attend a town school by a childish remark drew my attention to at least one reason for this, ana maybe it may suggest a remedy. My little lad said, "My teacher always says 'Good morning, Charlie,' to me." I said, "Of course, why not?" He said, "The other boys don't, and they laugh at me because I always say, 'Good morning, sir,' first. We always used to say good morning, or salute Mr H. B. M g, and I think it is only proper." I agreed with my son. Mr Editor, why don't the teachers make it a rule that our children should behave respectfully, politely, courteously? In America there is a national flag for each school, I believe, and it is carried by the best boy or girl each day to the schoolhouse door, and he or she stands there with it, and every child has to salute the flag as they pass in. Here is a method of instilling patriotism, and a good conduct rev*ard 'to be striven for. For the sake of o_r children let us beg the teachers, and strive ourselves, to raise the moral standard, and insist on better manners and more refined behaviour.—l am, etc.,

THE MOTHER OF SEVEN SONS,