ENTERTAINING THE MEN

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 40, 15 August 1925, Page 8

ENTERTAINING THE MEN

• ' TO THB KDITOR. | Sir, —From what one sees and hears, the men of the American fleet, our visitors and gueets, are not having quite the sort 'of time in our city a New Zealnnder who takes a pride in his country's reputation for hospitality would like them to have,. Of course, the wretched weather has something to do with it, j'spoiling out-of-door excursions, but there does seem a deficiency oa the part of citizens themselves individually in the warmth of welcome which takes a visitor I inlo the family circle. One would like to know how many of the rank and.flle of the fleet—one excludes the officers, for they can depend on getting attention in any port —but the sailors and marines, how many have been invited inside private homes in the city?. Not many, ono fears, in proportion to the number of men on leave ashore. How many have been taken for drives by Wellington motorists? The efforts of the Transport Committee appear again to have been entirely so far devoted to the carrying of officers. The effect in the impression left on the vast majority of our visitors, the men, who in any force are the backbone of all. operations—for it was the private soldier and the ordinary seaman who won the war—will be most unhappy, unless something is done quickiy before the fleet leaves our shores for ever.

There seems to be a disposition on the part of citizens to fight shy of taking the nieu to their homes as they were taken freely, it would-appear, in Sydney and Melbourne. How unworthy and unnecessary such an attitude really is may be proved from my own experience. Yesterday I was shown over one of the light cruisers in port by a young sailor detailed for the duty by the officer on watch. My guide was co civil, thoughtful, and attentive, so obviously proud of his ship and the service, that I felt that the least I could do to reciprocate was to show him round when he got leave ashore. He asked if he could bring his mate, and wo met in the afternoon. After a trip out to one of the hill-top suburbs for the view, we had afternoon tea in town, and then after business was over Miey came out with me home. With a young family I could not promise them it very lively time, but we spent a most happy evening by the fireside with music,' cards,_ aim conversation. Their conduct was in every way perfect absolutely, and what they had to say of the ports they had .visited and life in tho American navy and in their home towns in America was most interesting. They admitted that they had been having a quiet time here so far, but they did not ask for anything of a wild nature. There was nothing they enjoyed so much after long days at sea in the confinement', of the ship as the v/armth of the fireside and the atmosphere of a friendly home. Those of us who campaigned for years: away from home in ■ the Great War know only too well that feeling, and how at times we would have given anything to bo inside some home again for an evening. There is nothing else to it. These Americans are just like ourselves, with much the same interests—churches, schools, and life. My two guests were lads of 18 and 19 respectively, from the far extremes of the United States, so they may fairly be taken as a sample of the men of the American navy in port. They went away by the last car delighted with the evening they spent, and they are coming out again the next leave they get, and we shall do what we can with the limited means at the disposal of just an average citizen to give them a good time.

I write this in the hope that other citizens similarly placed will do as I have done before it 13 too' late. It won hi ha a disgrace to us if the fleet should go away and spread the impression that New Zealander.-! are a cold, re-served race, hostile, or al least indifferent, to the stranger who is within thejr gufes. I feel that somo better way should he arranged whereby citizens may meet the visitors than exists at present. There should be some place nearby where the men land or come ashore where citizens may leave iheir names and the visitors may meet them or be invited out. It would not be hard for the Entertainment Committee to arrange something of the sort in one of tho. sheds by tho wharves where the warships arc boi'theii cr land 1 heir boats. Whatever is dons should be don? -quickly, as one week-end has already been 'lost. I think also that motorists would be quits willing if approached cour teously to taks partise 01 men for drive«, Jhextt: reijW tm b» iot»a. bail englg*4

where refreshments might be served and dancing take place daily. The alternative to decent entertainment like this if the hotel bar and the street, and nobody would wish his own sons drive* to that in a strange town in a strange country. It is high time Wellington made an effort.—l .am, etc., HOSPITALITY FIRST.

15th August.