DANGERS OF LONDON.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 July 1918, Page 7

DANGERS OF LONDON.

WOMEN RESTS

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S OPINION. LONDON, May 14Sir Thomas Mackenzie vas recently interviewed by the Empire News, Manchester, cm his demand that the State should take steps to protect soldiers from the class of women who hang' about the camps and clubs, especially in London. He says that the conditions which arc allowed to prevail in London and other large cities are a perfect disgrace. r '•When our men arrive on furlough in London they are accosted by loose women on leaving the railway stations. Men have told me that in some cases they had to listen to abusive language from women with whom they refused to go. I am glad to say, however, that recently an improvement to

these conditions has taken place. In the neighbourhood of Russell square, in which some of our hostels are situated, women congregate, not in tens or twenties, but in hundreds. Our military authorities take every possible precaution to save the men from the evil results of contact. But notwithstanding all precautions conditions continue which, to. say the least, are a reflection on the authorities of the Home country. In the hospitals will b° found young fellows who have fallen victims as a result of their lapse, and who went on leave with frood resolutions, but were nimble to resist the temptations whirl] beset every soldier, and particularly overseas troops, in the cities and large towns of this country. In many cases they admit they were enticed by veil-dressed women, whom they considered to be absolutely decent. It was thought that the police ought to do something to stop the evil, but they had not been furnished with sufficient powers. The chairman of the London County Council had remarked that he never walked along the Strand without admiring- the splendid physique and bearing of the Now Zealand soldiers. I asked him, the Lord Mayor and aldermen of the City of London what part they were performing in order to preserve this magnificent physique and manly bearing. Were they doing anything to remove the temptations that prevailed in certain parts of.the city? When our soldiers volunteered to take part in this great Avar their mothers, wives, and sisters were content to see them face all the risks and dangers incidental to warfare, but not to see them exposed to Averse dangers in our towns. I do not wish it to be thought that I do not appreciate the great generosity and kindness which our soldiers

receive from the people of the United Kingdom, for it is beyond all praise. It must be remembered that our soldiers haA r c in the main come from country districts in New Zealand. They are not accustomed to town life, they h,*iA T e few friends here, and consequently British soldiers, Avhnse homes are in the Old Land."