ALLEGED IMMORALITY

Southland Times, Issue 17002, 28 March 1912, Page 5

ALLEGED IMMORALITY

IMMIGRANT SHIP CHARGES DENIED. * (Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 27. Mr H. G. Gilbert, of Knox College, Dunedin, -writes to the “Dominion’’ stating that the “improprieties and immoralities” that take place, on certain steamers call for the most immediate attention of the Government. After all due allowance for the crowding of several hundreds of persons on a steamer, he avers that there, were during the Athonic’s trip “happenings that can be described only as a reproach and disgrace, and among those chiolly concerned were certain girls whose expenses to New Zealand had been largely met by the people of this country.” He argues that sufficient care is not exercised in the selection of immigrants. With the letter Mr Gilbert sends a declaration by eleven fellow-passengers endorsing his complaint. Captain Kempson, of the Athenic, considers the statements without foundation. He had one statement made to him, but on inquiry could get no evidence in substantiation. Some girls might be inclined to have a romp; but people had varying ideas as to unseemly conduct. The matron (Miss Peters) gives the letter a fiat contradiction. All the girls under her care, she says, behaved quite properly. There were two inclined to be

gay who left the ship at Hobart.