SWIMMING-POOL COLOUR-BANS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sin,—With reference to " Janus' " remarks in last week's issue of The Spectator concerning the proprietor of " a well-known swimming pool in Kent " who refused to admit coloured bathers, may I, as one who is well acquainted with such pools, venture to make'an' observation ?
It is not so much the 'proprietor as the patrons who are to blame. Many are the times when I, myself (incidentally a totally disinterested party) have overheard objections being raised by the latter towards the- admission' of coloured people into the baths. The reasons they give are, of course, contemptible, but nevertheless so numerous are the complaints that to ignore them would be nothing less than impolitic from the point of view of those whose object it is to make financial profit from such institutions.
In these circumstances I cannot but feel that " Janus ' " criticisms are slightly unfair. For, after all, these pools were not constructed without an ulterior motive.—I am, Sir, yours • The Dene, Waltham-St.-Lawrence, Berkshire.
[Certainly. And the ulterior motive is perfectly honourable. But must it always be the sole criterion of conduct ?—En. The Spectator.]
Previous page
