The Reception of Our Visitors.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18461, 15 August 1925, Page 12

The Reception of Our Visitors.

Admiral Schofie'td, and the officers and men of the United States warships in our port, will hardly need the assurances they will find in " The Press " to-dav that every decent citizen of Chrislchurch is heartily ashamed that the American bluejackets should have had to suffer the ruffianly conduct of a few ill-conditioned fellows in our midst. But it is desirable that they should know that this feeling of shame, accompanied by bitter indignation, is almost universal. In every community—even in New Zealand—there are ignorant and semi-savage young men, lovers of mischief, brainless and undisciplined, to whom the insulting of strangers appeals as being excellent sport. Their misconduct towards our visitors, abominable though it is, has at least had the good result of hardening up the cordial and friendly feeling of our people towards the Americans. This is matter for gratification, because, as its readers know, " The " Press" has done what it can to show that next to the maintenance of a strong attachment to the spirit of Imperial unity hardly anything is more important for citizens of the Empire than the development of a close friendship with the United States. It is not necessary to say more concerning the unpleasantness created by a few semi-civilised roughs, but there is a point mentioned by one of our correspondents ("A New •■Zealander") which deserves a little notice. This correspondent complains of the quiet and undemonstrative manner of Christchurch crowds—which he "has noticed, not only on the occasion of Thursday's parade, but even on those occasions when our soldiers went to and returned froui the war; and he appeals to us to stir up public sentiment "to the " need of . a more cordial manner of " expression at public functions." We fear that it is beyond the power of any newspaper to do more than influence a few in this matter. It is unfortunately true that Christchurch people lack that capacity for open demonstrations of enthusiastic feeling which one can find as near as Wellington or Dunedin. It is not that Christchurch hearts are colder or Christchurch spirits duller, for they are just as warm and lively as the hearts of other New Zealanders. But our citizens are far too self-restrained, reserved, and shy of letting themselves go. ' The reason for it we cannot guess, and we can think of no cure. But we should be sorry to think that as a community we are growing less able than we were to cheer and wave our hats, for in time the outward manner of severe reserve may affect the inward spirit.