SAILORS PROTEST

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1936, Page 6

SAILORS PROTEST

TURNED AWAY FROM. CABARET.

UNIFORMS OBJECTED TO:

Per Press A s'sociation Copyright

WELLINGTON, November 11

An incident on Monday evening, when between 25 and 30 sailors from H.M.S. Achilles were turned away from the Majestic Cabaret, is the subject i)f an indignant protest in a ne>vspaper letter, which is signed “Insulted Stokers’ Mess 36, H.M.S. Achilles.” Tlie letter states, inter alia, that the ship is open to visitors every afternoon, and the men are expected to slio.v people over the ship and explain everything and to assist the public aboard. When the men go ashore they are turned away from the doors or the few places wdiere they may spend an evening.

“Wellington people agitated enough for the naval base to be in the tal city, and if this is a sample of their hospitality we are very glad that the Government at least knew wdiere the personnel of the Navy would be more welcome. Perhaps the manager of a certain dance hall, who said that he did not object to the men, but to the ,uniform,-will apply to the Navy Office for permission for tlie men to land in civilian clothes.”

The Navy League is concerned over the matter, and hopes to, find some means whereby the position can be improved for everyone concerned. The proprietors of other cabarets in Wellington agree that the reason for tlie ban was “the uniform and not the man.” One manageress said that many cabaret guests had a definite objection to sailors in uniform being on a dance floor. A cabaret proprietor said be always found sailors behave like gentlemen, and would even say that they conducted themselves better than many city folk who were out for an evening's pleasure. ,