LADIES’ PIPE BAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19702, 1 February 1926, Page 9

LADIES’ PIPE BAND.

REFUSAL OF PASSPORTS. A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT., (Pee United P«e=3 Association.) AUCKLAND, January 50.. “It is not correct, as stated in some quarters,” said the Hon B. F. Bollard', “that the New Zealand or Canadian' Governments have placed obstacles in'the way of the Ladies’ Pipe Band in thfc desire of its members to proceed abroad. Nor that the bond requirements are those of the Canadian Government. The position is simply this: Shortly after the-, Land landed in the Dominion the Australian authorities asked that passports should not be issued until the parents’ consent to each minor member travelling abroad had been obtained, and a satisfactory local surety furnished on the basis of £SO for each member guaranteeing repatriation, in the event of stranding. ,- f “The latest advice received by the Government, is that the band was to disband, that seven members have decided to* totum to Australia, and that the remaining eleven desire to go to Canada as individuals. r rheir parents’ consent in regard to tie minors has been furnished, but, a cablegram was received yesterday Iron* Melbourne asking for full particulars regarding the members of the band deairing to proceed abroad, the object of their journey and whether the Department' of Internal Affairs was satisfied that 'they are in possession of funds which will ensure their maintenance, repatriation and other expenses. Further enquiries are now being made,”