COURTESY TO COLOURS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 136, 11 June 1934, Page 6

COURTESY TO COLOURS.

In reply to my letter on tlie above subject, "•Spectator" commits a very elementary error of logic in forming- hasty conclusions on insufficient data. Firstly, lie assumes that I am a Londoner, and as such' not competent to criticise !New Zealanders. As a matter of fact, I have been a New Zealander practically all my life. Secondly, lie makes quite an unnecessary taunt at my loyalty. Again, let me disillusion him. I served abroad for three years, most of it being in and near the trenches; and since then I have endeavoured to keep up the good work by maintaining an active interest and participation in Army matters. Can "Spectator" say the same tiling, or is his nom de plume a particularly apt one? Getting down to the matter at issue, my critic says that in urging conrtesy to the colours I have "red-tape ideas." What about uncovering for a funeral hearse, or for a lady, addressing a judge as "Sir" or "Your Honor," standing when a lady addresses you, and dozens of other little courtesies of life ? Does he regard these as red-tape also? In the matter of my red tape I am in good company, for the highest general in the land—yes, even the King himself —pays respect to the colours. But "Spectator" and the New Zealand police evidently have different ideas on the subject. Then he says that I have "no conception of what the duties of a policeman are at such functions" as King's Birthday parades. I' should be interested to learn what his views are as to these duties. He asserts that he is proud of our police force. Quite right. There are many aspects of their work of which we can justly be proud; but I for one was not impressed by the attitude of those whom I saw at the parade. "Spectator" is merely generalising: I am criticising one aspect of the matter only. The whole question, it seems to me, boils down to this: If "Spectator" contends that our police should not be trained to salute the colours, then we differ so materially in our views that nothing more need be said; if, however, he admits that such a training would be advisable, we are in agreement, and again there is nothing further to say. OFFICER.