TROOPS' CONDUCT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24194, 9 February 1942, Page 7

TROOPS' CONDUCT

MEN IN CITY ON LEAVE WELLINGTON COMPLAINT SMALL MINORITY OFFEND [bv TELECJHAI'H —I'ItKSH ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Saturday ,Complaints have reached the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, concerning the behaviour of a certain number of soldiers in Wellington. He has written to the Superintendent of Police on the matter, also to the Officer Commanding tin.' Central Military District and the Fortress Area Commander at Wellington emphasising that the complaints refer only to a small proportion of the troops, but that this minor element In ought disrepute on the whole luiU\ of excellent men. f iie Mayor's letter reads as follows: My attention has been drawn by various citizens to increased disorderlinesi in the evenings. It has particular reference to soldiers in uniform in the general area from Lambton Quay to Cuba Street who are, on many occasions, seen in a state of intoxication and frequently conducting themselves indecently in public places. Reports have also reached me of similar undisciplined and disgraceful behaviour occurring during the day. "My reports are from the most reliable authorities, and the tendency lor this type of conduct to increase, aggravated as it is by the obvious sale of liquor after hours, will lead to most undesirable conditions if it is not checked forthwith, i would ask, therefore, for such collaboration in dealing with this matter as you are able to get. I am, of course, aware of the diminished strength of the police for their ordinary purposes, but within your powers 1 feel sure you will do what you can to assist in the matter. '"There is, to my mind, no doubt that it is the duty of the military authorities to provide pickets in t'he streets for the maintenance of order among the soldiers. The scale upon which this is done is obviously far smaller than is necessary. 1 am accordingly sending a copy of this letter to the Fortress Command and also to the Officer Commanding the District for their information, and, 1 hope, the necessary action. I may add that, apart from complaints about men in uniform, there are many complaints regarding the conduct of civilians, both .male and female."