COUNTRY CHILDREN AND H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 91, 17 April 1913, Page 6

COUNTRY CHILDREN AND H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Permit mc space to draw attention to the regulations issued for the entraining of country children to visit the battleship New Zealand. From these it appears that the pupils who cannot go and .return the same day are to -pay their own fares. This is manifestly Unjust. Because these sturdy young sons of the pioneer have to travel many miles to a railway c.enti-.c> J and pay ■ their board in the city, why should they not, as their more fortunately situated confreres nearer the'city, receive the benefits of a free pass on the -railway on such a unique occasion? But a few years hence these lads will be called iipoii to take their, part in the defence of the .Dominion, and Jto them as yCt patriotism is still "a thing tangible.' 'Why should not the Government carry out the promise of; the late Premier, that every child in the Dominion should have an opportunity to see this gift of our young first fruits of sacrifice? Mi\ Jjtassey arid bis colleagues would do well tO'remember that ere another decade passes these lads will have votes, and they will not easily forget the differentiation thus made. This " preferential tax" will debar jriany a true-lad of. the from realising the anticipation he has long cherished of paying this viSfc. "The educational side Of the question needs no, argument. There are among Ihese children many who have never seen a-u ordinary -merchant'ship, to .aay. Mtihing of the latest in naval am, etc.,