STAGE-STRUCK GIRLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1919, Page 2

STAGE-STRUCK GIRLS.

APPEAL FOR PROTECTION. Dunedin, Saturday. The Dunedin City Council was approached by the Salvation Army, not as guardians of the public purse, but as Civic Fathers of the "Mappers" Ou-n----taiu McKenzic, missioner of the Army, related a stoz-y of two girls of 17 and 18 years respectively, who, he said, had been induced by the sight of advertisement to sign contracts with a travelline "vaudeville" company. The agreements were unstamped, the persons running the allow were without credentials, ai'd there was no guarantee that the girls would net be stranded in strange towns, wher-3 they would le in grave »eril. The matter had been brought under his notice by tlie parents. A solicitor had been seen, but could do nothing, and all the police could do was, if necessary, to arrest the girls «is persons without means of support The captain made it clear that he was not denouncing accredited vaudeville, kit unaccredited shows without means. He added that a gir! employed as a pianist stated that she had to leave on aecount of disgusting language used. The request of the Army was that the Council should assist in getting legislation promulgated to prevent girls wider 19 years of age from, joining such companies, It <va9 decided to remit the ease to the Society for the Protection of Women and Children.