"DIGGERS" IN PARIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1919, Page 5

"DIGGERS" IN PARIS.

THE WORK OF MISS ETTIE ROUT. NO GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION. By Wire —Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives today Mr -Holland (Grey) asked the Prime Minister if he had seen a paragraph in the Sydney Bulletin containing an appeal from Miss Ettie Rout for funds in aid of her work among the soldiers and asking that subscriptions should he sent to her care of the New Zealand High Commissioner. He wished to know if Miss Rout had done her work with the consent of the New Zealand Government. He asked if Mr Massey had seen a c-ard which he produced and proceeded to read. The card had on one side a name and a Paris address and on the other side the following words: "I have visited Madam 'a house on several , occasions during the last two months in company with medical officers and we are all convinced that at the present time it makes safe and suitable provision for the sexual needs of the troops. (Signed) Ettie A. Rout." Mr Holland was proceeding to read the names of women from the card but was stopped by the Speaker, who said that the details were not necessary. Mr Holland l said Ife had produced the card with the object of learning if Miss Rout was conducting her operations with the consent or with the knowledge of the New Zealand Government. Had the Government received from the military officers any of the correspondence forwarded to those officers by the secretary of the Y.M.C.A., Mr Hay, who was now in New Zealand? The secretary had sent protests. The Speaker again remarked that the details were not necessary. The Prime Minister doubtless understood the circumstances. Mr Holland: I will put it on record some other time. Mr Massey in reply said he had not seen the paragraph referred to or the card ouoted. Mr Holland had asked if Miss Rout had acted with the consent and approval of the New Zealand Government. The answer to that question was in the negative. Mr Holland: Or with the knowledge? Mr Massey: One could not help hearing what was going on.