Pheeel said
In this "compensation culture" of a world we find ourselves in, perhaps the captain was just covering his own back and that of his company's. If little johnny was to cut his foot on a plastic fork that had dropped on the floor, then mummy and daddy wouldn't have been too happy I'm guessing....probably could've got a few grand from it.....
Not in NZ - there is a thing called ACC which means you cannot sue for accidents.
The Maori culturally correct thing to do is NOT wear shoes; where I live many don't, it begs the question was the Captain being 'selective' in his choice based on the ethnicity of the kids.
(and for the record I think his actions were appropriate)