ALLEGED IMPROPRIETY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 77, 27 March 1912, Page 5

ALLEGED IMPROPRIETY.

ON SHIP WITH IMMIGRANTS FOR NEW ZEALAND. OFFICIAL DENIALS. (Per Pros* Association.! Wellington, March 27. Mr. H. G. Gilbert, of Knox College, Dunedin, writes to the “Dominion” : “The improprieties and immoralities that take place on certain steamers call for the most immediate attention of the Government. After all due allowances for the crowding of severa. hundred persons on a steamer, he avers that there were during the Athenic’s trip ‘happenings that can be described only as a reproach and a disgrace, and among those chiefly concerned were certain girls whose expenses to New Zealand have 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 feUow-passen-gers endorsing his complaint. Captain Kempson, of the Athenic, considers the statements without foundation. He had one statement made to him, but, on enquiry, could got no evidence in _ substantiation. Some girls might be inclined to have a romp, but people have varying ideas as to unseemly conduct. The matron, Miss Peters, gives the letter a flat contradiction. All the gilds under her care behaved quite properly. There were two who were inclined to be “gay,” who left the sh n at Hobart.