NOT NEGLECTED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 36, 6 November 1917, Page 6

NOT NEGLECTED

N.Z. SOLDIERS IN LONDON

RECENT STATEMENTS DENIED

Alarming statements have been published as coming from Mr. Jamieson, who recenlly went Homo as a commissioner for tho New Zealand Y.M.C.A. Mr. .Vmieson says, in effcri, thnl; the j\bW Zealand soldiers are neglected in London, and that not nearly enough is done for them to prevent them from getting into mischief. The statement, has como under the notice of General Richardson in London, and ho has already taken some action about It. , . Ho has forwarded tho following message to tho Defence Minister: "My view is that no soldiers are so well provided for in London as the New Zealand soldiers, as tho result of the efforts of tho Y.M.C.A. and tho War Contingent Association. But whatever is done, a small percentage will go astray. Mr. Lascelles, the commissioner, and all other Y.M.C.A. representatives in London protest strongly against the statement, and have requested that tho following teleeram bo sent on, and published in tho Press, if you consider necessary:

Eepresenlalives of tho New Zealand Y.M.C.A. protest strongly'against tho charges reported to have been made by Mr. Jnmleson. Soldiers are met at railway stations, and personally conducted by secretaries to_ huts and hostels, guides are provided, and tours arranged to places of historic interest; hospitality is arranged in private homes, parties are taken to places of amusement, and every opportunity is taken to occupy the men's leisuro tiours. Tho streets_ nro patrolled by secretaries every night, and the men are directed to suitable sleeping accommodation. Tho New Zealand military authorities render great assistance, and cordially cooperate with the New Zealand Y.M.C.A. and the War Contingent Association. Only a small percentage of the men are Indiscreet. Since the statement has been published in this country the local representatives of the Salvation Army, who have some ndvice as to the work being done for tho New Zealand soldiers' in London, have telegraphed to the Minister to protest against the inaccuracy of the infprmation .published by Mr. Jamieson. . In London Mr. Massey .had an excellent opportunity of observing how tho New Zealanders fared, and ho has already stated In most emphatic terms that the New Zealanders are well looked after, and thai not only are they well behaved, but that they have an enviable reputation for good behaviour with tho peoplo of England. Referring to tho statement of Mr. Jamieson, Mr. Massey said that it was certainly not correct to say that nothing was being done for the New Zealanders. He had repeatedly eeon representatives of the War Contingent Association at tho railway stations on tlfc look-out for our men, who were always "recognisable by their hats, and if there happened to be New Zealanders on thb train they were approached and taken to the huts or tho hostel, or sent on their way if they wished to go elsewhere. Tho hostel, he said, was a splendid institution, where the men could get' excellent mealf at very reasonable prices. It is controlled by Mr. Robert Nolan, sometime of Hawera, and he is assisted by an enthusiastic voluntary staff. DISCLAIMER. BY MR. JAMIESON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, November 5. Mr. W. G. Jamieson. in a letter to the "Daily Times," repudiates entirely the suggestion that he had reflected on the conduct of New Zealand soldiers in London, and states emphatically that his, onlv complaint was against the Imperial authorities for not providing for the accommodation and welfare of men on leave.