LURE OF DANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18862, 10 November 1924, Page 8

LURE OF DANCES.

FARM WORK INTERRUPTED. HOSPITALITY TO TADETS. "COWS MUST BE MILKED." The wealth of hospitality that is being extended to some of the English, public 6chool boys to the detriment of a full and proper interest in their chosen life,, was strongly commented on in a letter read at the meeting of the council of the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce last week from a fanner who is employing one of the boys. The opinion was expressed by the farmer that it was high time something was done regarding the. number of invitations that wero being given to the boys to be present at "At homes" and other functions of a like nature in New Plymouth at night. The boy with him had been to several such functions, and on the last occasion that he had asked for a day off it had been given with pleasure. At five o'clock, however, a telegram had arrived stating that he was staying in town for a dance, which meant that he would not be back on the farm until nine o'clock next morning. A few days ago a letter arrived inviting the boy to an "At home," dancing to commence at 8 p.m. "I do not care whether —is at home or abroad," the farmer said. "My cows have to be milked, and if the boy is not here to help someone else will have to do his work." Busy Time on Farms. • The farmer added that if the boy went on that occasion he would have to go for good. It was unnecessary for hun to describe life on. a dairy farm in the height of the season, and he was certain he was not going to put any extra work on to his wife, who already had quite enough to do. He did not blame the boy altogether, but he thought that rather much fuss was being made over the boys by people in town, and this was turning the heads of some of them. The position was summed up shortly by Mr. Gordon Fraser, president of the chamber. "Certain ladies, with a laudable desire to mother the boys on arrival and to assist the chamber, have been kind enough to offer hospitality to them," he said. This was very much appreciated, but it must be remembered that these boys had come to Taranaki to learn farming, most of them with little or no money beyond what they earned. It could not be expected that in the flush of the dairy season the boys could be spared the time to attend functions in New Plymouth, and most of the boys recognised this. too, somewhat, severe criticism of the condition of home life in Taranaki has been made bv persons quite outside the chamber," Mr. Fraser continued. "Some farmers have heard of these criticisms and naturally keenly resent the suggestion that the boys are undergoing severe hardship by living as they do. They are under the impression, and in my opinion rightly so, that it is no kindness to the boys„to unsettle them in the busy time of the year." Boys Settling Down.

Having come in intimate contact with most of the boys, Mr. Fraser said, without hesitation, that they had settled down excellently, and were keen and anxious to learn. When the slack time came in the winter, they would be entitled to a little recreation, and he was. sure the twiners would permit it, but just now If ••old be better if they were left alone. Mr. Fraser added that allowing some boys to accept invitations caused feeling among the boys who could not go, and, in any case, it meant needless friction and disturbance in their occupation. The opinion was unanimous that i the invitations were sent to the boys with the very best intentions of making their stay in Taranaki a pleasant one, but that it was not generally realised that acceptance of the invitations was interfering with their work. It was thought that a hint m the press would settle the difficulty, and it was decided to let the matter drop f<n the- meantime.