“UNWARRANTABLE SLUR.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19691, 19 January 1926, Page 5

“UNWARRANTABLE SLUR.”

NAVAL MEN ANNOYED. EXCLUSION FROM WEEKLY DANCES. CFeom Our Own Coheespondent.) AUCKLAND, January 18. TUo exclusion of sailors in naval uniform from attending certain weekly dances in Auckland has given rise to no little discussion and surprise. It would be idle to suppose the matter is of small weight and significance. Both the officers and men of the warships in port feel indignant at what they regard an unwarranted slur on their character aud behaviour, and the opinion is widely held among the civilian population that the drastic nature of the action calls for a proper explanation. Contrary to the general belief the trouble is confined to only two Weekly dances-—both under the same management. One is the Monday night dance at St, Benedict s, and the other is the Saturday night dance at the Masonic Hall. The dances conducted at these halls on the other nights of the week are not affected. Indeed, those in charge of them appear thoroughly to disapprove of the action. When- approached, the manager of the two dances in question declined to offer any explanation. He took up the attitude that the conduct of the dances was his own affair, and ho resented anyone telling Inn-,, his own business. _ He stated there was no intention on his part of casting reflections on all the sailors, a great many of whom, he admitted, were most exacting in their ballroom behaviour, but as a result of his experience, he had laid down th© policy that no sailors should be admitted, and in his decision be had the support of a number of citizens. Beyond that he would make no explanation. .. .. The attitude taken up towards the bluejackets at these dances has unquestionably left a very bad impression, and in the absence of the manager's explanation it won a rppear to be absolutely unjustifiable. Those in charge of oilier dance halls in the oity are emphatically of the opinion that the deportment and conduct of the nayal men at dances leaves nothing to be desired. indeed. a good many oi tht*7n volunteer the view that the average sailors behaviour at a public dance is a good deal more creditable than that of our local youth.