NEW ZEALANDERS AT ALBANY.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15313, 29 July 1915, Page 10

NEW ZEALANDERS AT ALBANY.

CHARACTEB VINDICATED. FALSE REPORTS REFUTED. (STECT.U. TO "THK rRESS."> WELLINGTON, July CP. The following letter, dated July 10th. which h»s been received by tbo Prime Minister from ihe Mayor of Albany. West- Australia (Mr H. Robinson), was read in tli* House by Mr Massey this afternoon :— "From time to time we bare bad,tbe pleasure of receiving in our harbour nnd town the representatives of New Zealand, on their way to the front. 1 was wry much >urpriscd on being informed by on.' of my councillor;, last wo,m; tli.it several of tbe last contingent informed liim tb:it lb' 1 -V<'w Zealander* in paviiiu through here w.- r e supposed to hu\> misbehaved themselves in Albany, nnd that tbe civic authorities bnd asked that they -hould not be allowed ashore. I hasten to write and remove this stateintuit, which is absolutely false. "I beg to inform, yon. on behalf of the town", that the men behaved splendidly during the whole of their stay in our port and town, and their behaviour has reflected credit not only on their officers and themselves, but on Xew Zealand. Thoy have been most exemplary. I feci almost incensed that such a stigma should bo cast on the men, seeing that tbey have behaved so well in every respect. "It has been my ploasine duty to be associated with mo.,t of tho officers of every conf indent, and tbey themselves have been well satisfied with the behaviour of the men. Th" last contingent, particularly, were allowed a latitude of two days, and there is nothing but the highest praises expressed by all the citizens as to tbo conduct of th* men. Many of them were received into private home-., and this is a true record of their behaviour. '"I may say that the citizens aro arranging, should any other men arriving here be allowed ashore, to take them to their private homes, and they are also arranging private functions for them in the shape of moaU a.'id music. "T trust- you. will accept this in the spirit it is sent to contradict a misstatement on behalf of the noble men who arc going to fight for thc freedom of the Union Jack, and whose behaviour it is a pleasure and honour for one to report has been all that could be desired." 'I think," said Mr Massey, after reading the letter, "that it must be very satisfactory to the of tho Boiise to know that members of our forces are behaving like men and like gentlemen, in the way that we expect New Zealanders to behave." fLoud applause). ' Sir Joseph Ward also expressed extreme gratification with, the communication from tho Mayor of Albany, and ho thought all members of the House would acknowledge his courtesy in doing so much to remove any possible stigma from the fair fame, of New Zealand.