ARMY HOME.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 February 1934, Page 8

ARMY HOME.

Why Did Girls Walk Out? A COMPLAINT ANSWERED. Statements made during Magistrate’s Court proceedings last week have prompted a correspondent, Mr W. J. Jessett, of 247, Colombo Street, Sydenham, to write to the “ Star ” as follows: Dear Sir,—ln Friday’s “ Star ” it was reported that a young girl had chosen to serve two years’ Borstal detention in preference to six rqonths’ in the Salvation Army Home. A few days ago, three girls walked out of this home and threw themselves on the mercy of the police. In the past, a number of women with a long list of convictions have chosen gaol sentences rather than become inmates of the Salvation Army Home. The reason for these occurences would make interesting reading. It would appear that the girls are not happy in the home and that the reforming influence they are supposed to get is less acceptable to them than the punishment of prison and Borstal. I suggest, sir, that there is urgent need for an open inquiry into the conduct ! ot this and other homes of its kind, if only to satisfy the public mind as to the real reason of the girl’s action. Does Mr Mosley’s word ‘ scalping ’ mean whipping?—l am, etc., (Signed) W. J. JESSETT.” “ Treated With Kindness.” When the letter was submitted this morning to Major Montgomery, the matron of the Salvation Army Girls’ Home, she was quick to intimate that the home was open to visitors at any time, and that if any cne wanted to inspect the institution they could call, with or without giving notice, and see for themselves whether or not the girls were treated with kindness and consideration. She asked the interviewer to inspect the home, and a visit to the various departments gave no indication of any lack of reasonable comfort, or that the girls were given treatment that would be calculated to make them prefer prison or the Borstal. “ The girls are treated with every kindness,” said Major Montgomery. “ It is our object to do what we can to help them. They have plenty of leisure, their duties do not tie them down for the whole day for most of the week as do the duties of a girl in, say, a factory, and they are given outings whenever possible.” One Girl Back in Home. 1 Concerning the girl mentioned iq the letter, who was stated to have preferred Borstal to the home, the matron would not venture a theory for her expressed preference, but gave an account of the girFs visit to the home. She was brought in by the police on a Saturday, and only stayed at the home over the week-end. In the short space of two days the Army authorities found her a position in domestic service. She went to that position, but the following day was arrested. Of the three who had “ walked out,” the matron said that one girl had been the cause of most of the trouble, and she had also proved troublesome "at other institutions. Another of the three, who had been persuaded to accompany the ringleader, was back in the home, and expressed herself as glad that she was lucky enough to be back. “My conscience is quite clear,” said the matron with a smile. “If anyone thinks that the home should be visited, we shall be only too glad to show them over.”