This Modern Age

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 85, 11 April 1936, Page 2

This Modern Age

DRINKING AT DANCES. (To the Editor). Sir, —Having read your;- report s in Tuesday’s paper on the discussion at the Pahiatua Borough meeting anent’disturbances at dances, may I, as a resident and ratepayer 'for many years, congratulate the stop tho council took in tho matter. This, I con- - eider, sir, is ono of the very fow occasions -when they have been unanimous in opinion on a matter and . just goes to show that there is moro behind tho scones than tho overyday person believes. Tho publication of tho matter in the Press has caused considorabU discussion in the town and sides havt already, been taken as to who is to blame —tho townspeople blamo outsiders, in which statement lot us hope there is some truth for tho rumours which have been floating around during the past few days aro far from being a credit to tho town. As a fathor of grown daughters, who attend various functions and dances in the district, 1 am proud to say that although the temptation is sometimes there for them to oblige some cad by taking tho first “spot,” they have withstood tho modern trend and in so doing maybe considered by some as old-fashioned. Still my memory takos me back just a few years to a time when dances were so different —the enjoyment much better and the goneral friendship of a much truer nature. We can trace the craving for unnatural oxcitement and the advent of drink at dances as a epoch of tho lato war period and, although the practice has continued on through the later years, well-known writers of the day assert that times are changing and before many seasons conduct at dances will be much the samo us in pre-war 'f f. .V’jihi iKieuuKOjimnlY f.’.i.) young people of to-day, washing to be in the fashion, ombraco everything our social code suggests, still those who havo had a good upbringing must, in their own minds, feel deeply ashamed whon witnessing the drunken conduct at some of tho so-called best of our balls. Although not a prude, I consider that tho man who offers drink to a young woman, whether she wills it or not, has nothing much to hold his head up over and were it his own sister would, in all probability, out of his love and respect for her, refuse to allow lior to take it.

Even, sir, if we arc living in such an age that our moral standards, insofar as the young people are concerned, in the taking of drink is encouraged at most dances, then surely we still have another consideration and obligation, that of the peaco of mind of residents who have (I say it quite candidly) tho misfortune to live near any of our several dance halls. Why in the namo of all that is good should they have to go without their night’s sleep, and be forced to listen to tho drunken marauding of only a few —the numbers of the dancers who still know how to behave themselves are still with all this craze for unnatural excitement, far and away in the majority. T n.conclusion, sir, I think the action of tho council commendable in that it is preserving the lawful right of those residents who are being disturbed in the early hours of the morning by small bands of the younger generation who, having little rogard for control of their own habits, cannot bo expected to have any respect for the private feelings of our worthy residents. —I am, etc., FATHER OF TWO FINE GIRLS. Pahiatua, April 7, 193(5. WHO SHOULD CONTROL THE DANCES? (To the Editor). Sir, —I question tho action of the Borough Council in deciding to write to the Foresters’ hall committee threatening to withdraw tho liall license unless more piroprcr supervision is kept at ►■future dances. Is not this a matter solely for police to take action? Tho complaints are lodged in connection with oceurrances outside tho hall and tho interference of lodge committee men would be, no doubt, resultant in additional troubles. The piolice, however, having the strong backing of the law, would very soon put a stop to the annoyances complained of. While in agreement with tho town fathers that some action is necessary and only fair to tho majority attending various dances and whose behaviour is above question. I hold, sir, that whatever action is taken should bo instituted by our police, who arc paid to sec that law and order is kept.

The position of the Eoresters’ Lodge in the matter, is, I think, aptly covered in the old proverb, “Lot not the shoemaker go beyond his last.—l am, etc., PEACEMAKEB. April 7, 1936.