TERRITORIAL ROWDYISM.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 5, Issue 178, 1 July 1914, Page 6

TERRITORIAL ROWDYISM.

(To tbe Editor.) Sir,—Will you allow-me a little space in which to express tho sentiments of numerous; Auckland women (mostly mothere) regarding fhc behaviour of certain larrikins at Devonport locpntly? 'A young man engaged a hall there in which to givo a lecture under tho auspices of tho Freedom League. The mannor in which the Territorials interrupted the lecturer is a sample of the intolerance that has been shown to peacablc people in other parts of N.Z., viz., Ashburton and Wanganui. In the latter place hooliganism was practised on two simple-living, peace-loving sons of Israel—tho brutality they were subjected to causing them to plead for shelter from private people. This is a stato of affairs that right-thinking people must deplore.

The Ashburton case, I am sorry to say, was not confined to youth, though no doubt if not from the undeveloped, body, it came from the undeveloped mind of Ashburton. A few good' Christian men and wbmeu engaged a 1-all with a view to advocating, poa'co and putting a few truths before 'the people regarding Militarism,-. they-were prevented from speaking.. : 'fhu. silly larrikin element-prevailed, and resorted to singing stupid, boastful .songs commonly called "patriotic"; also tho insane practice of "couuting-out." This, by the way, emanated among the most class-biassed, ignorant (through inexperience) and intolerant creatures in tho world —University students.

The democratic mothers of New Zealand greatly resent this element being introduced in our country among other undesirable importation from England. I havo been delegated to express these sentiments by mothers who are shocked 'and horrified at such behaviour on the part of the youth of N.Z. It .seems to them that instead of military training making little gentlemen of our boys, it is makiug thorn little blackguards.— lam, etc., A. DA. I-I. Auckland.