APPEAL MADE FOR BETTER TREATMENT OF THE TINY TOTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 9

APPEAL MADE FOR BETTER TREATMENT OF THE TINY TOTS.

THEY WANT TOYS, NOT SOAP, WHEN THEY VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS’S CAVE. (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON. November 25. “As Christmas is drawing near and the little mites are beginning to count the pennies saved in little boxes through the year and with longing hearts and eyes are looking forward to Father Christmas with his caves, cabins and bran tubs, might I, as a father of four, be allowed to put in a plea for a little sympathy and fair play towards them by owners of these shows,” writes Dad, to the “ Post.” “ The children are charged a certain price to pass through a few passages and to shake hands with Father'Christmas. and with longing hearts receive what they have saved up for—a Christmas toy. And what do they receive? In mani’ cases a little toy, and very often, what I take exception to, a piece of soap, a packet of pins, or a small comb. It should only be necessary to draw attention to those controlling these displays to the disappointment caused the little ones—many of them from orphanages and children’s homes —to see that the young people get a fair deal. " Another letter questions the origin of the Christmas toys being wrapped for distribution. Inquiries found that the toys came from Britain and Australia, and a certain proportion from Germany, America and Continental countries. Some also were New Zealand in origin.