SOLDIERS PROTEST

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 262, 4 August 1942, Page 3

SOLDIERS PROTEST

Allegations By Nelson Synodsman (By Telegraph—l’ress Association.) BLENHEIM, August 3. Some 200 servicemen marched from the town on Saturday evening and, demonstrated at the residence of Mr. W. J. Girling, a prominent local citizen, as a protest’ against remarks whi»h he. made at a meeting of the Nelson Synod last week regarding the need for women police and the observance of the licensing laws. Mr. Girling said at the synod that there, seemed to be a special concession in some towns for soldiers to frequent hotels up till 10 o’clock on week nights and until 1 a.m. on Sundays. , . That the speech, which waa published on Friday, was resented by men of the armed forces, was evident by the assembly of groups in town on Saturday evening who frequently had to be moved on by the police. Canvas blinds on Mr. Girling’s shop were ripped before the large party of men went to his residence. A noisy demonstration was terminated by the tactful intervention of a seniorsergeant of police and a constable. There are no wet canteens in the camps in Marlborough, and the incident lends point to a strong local feeling that this deficiency might be remedied. “Women and girls do not frequent the camps or the approaches to them,” declared Brigadier Nathan, replying to another allegation by Mr. Girling in his synod speech. “This foolish and ill-considered outburst has no doubt caused distress to many mothers of men in camp. I would like to assure them that the statement is not true. Their sons are not being waylaid by unruly women and girls."