LONDON AT NIGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4474, 15 February 1917, Page 5

LONDON AT NIGHT.

AIR-RAID RISK LESSER. OTHER. PERILS CONTROLLED (United Service.) LONDON, Fob. 13. The Times states that the British Government rates for aircraft risks insurance will be reduced 50 per cent, on March 1. Inquiries at agencies engaged in social work show a general agreement that baneful influences have l»een abroad in the London streets, but reent articles in the newspapers- were calculated to convey an erroneous impression. Mr W. A. Cootc. secretary of the National Vigilance Association, states that he considers the statements in regard to the present'conditions of the streets bejng a peril to Home anc! Colonial troops are very much exaggerated. “The streets, - '' he said, “are not so bad as before the war, chiefly owing to the absence of the foreign element of men and women who were such a serious menace before the war. We have made careful investigations into the condition of the Strand at night time and they did not support the statements in the newspapers. Similarly there is little ground for

•omplaint as to Victoria Street, which s the rendezvous for Colonials.”

A SERIOUS PROBLEM. (Australian and .N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Feb. 14. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 14. In the House of Commons to-day Sir H. Craik called attention to he evils caused in the Army by the mcreased incentives to vice in London and the smallness of the penalties inflicted on the keepers of disorderly houses. , , Mr. Cave (Home Secretary) said he was fully alive to these evils, but many difficulties hampered drasticpolice action. He was introducing a Bill to increase magistrates’ powers and penalties. In an interview regarding soldiers perils in London. General Lloyd says public houses ought not to he abused so much as many publicans were playing the game. He regretted, that they had not power to deal with street harpies. He would like to see juvenile offenders 'birched. While soldiers were dying at the front we were afraid to lift our hands against the criminals who haunt the streets and prey on men on furlough. General Smith-Dorrien declared that men arriving in London at night time were confronted by appalling dangers, and if not taken caie or numbers would he lost to the Army, and they might become so great in number‘as to seriously interfere with the progress of the war.