NEW ZEALANDERS AT ALBANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3995, 30 July 1915, Page 3

NEW ZEALANDERS AT ALBANY.

THEIR CHARACTER VINDICATED. FALSE REPORTS REFUTED. By Telegraph—Special Correspondent WELLINGTON, July 29. The following letter, dated July 10th, whi, h has been received by the Prime Minister from the Mayor of ; Albany (MLA.), Mr H. Robinson, was | read in the House by Mr Massey j yesterday : | “From time to time we have had I the pleasure of receiving in our harbor and town the representatives ol New Zealand on their way to the front. I was very much. surprised on being informed by one of my councillors last week that several of the last contingent informed him that the New Zealanders in passing through were supposed to have misbehaved themselves in Albany and that the civil authorities had asked that they j should not be allowed ashore.. I , hasten to write and remove this statement, which, is absolutely false. “I beg to inform you, on behalf of the town, that the men behaved splendidly during the whole of their stay in our port and. town and their .behaviour has reflected credit not only on their officers and themselves, hut on New Zealand. They have been . most exemplary and j feel almost in-j censed that such a stigma should be : cast on the men, seeing that they have behaved so well in every re- • spect. . . j “It has boon my pleasing duty to associate with most of the officers ot every contingent and they themselves have been well satisfied with the behaviour of the men. The last contingent iKirfl ularly were allowed a latitude of two davs and there is nothing hut. the highest praise expressed by all the citizens as to the conduct" of the men. -Many ol them were received into private homes and l this is a true record of their be- ! haviour. . . i “J may say that the citizens arc I arranging, should anv other men ai- ’ riving here he allowed ashore, to take 1 them to their private homes and cliey are also arranging public nine j lions for them in the shape of meals ; and music. . , I “I trust yon will accept this un the I spirit it is sent, ami to contradict the ! misstatement on behalf of the noble i men who are going to fight- for too i freedom of the Union Jack and whose i beiiaviour, it is a pleasure and honoi •i for me to report, has been all that j could Vn desired. —(signed) H- D'ffiu.<ou. Mayor.” . , ... „ I 1 ■ | think.” said Mr Masscv, at tel ! roadie..' I.lie letter, “that it. must ha I verv satisfactory to the members «>! ! fiie“ House to know that members ot | our forces are behaving like Then and 1 like gentlemen in the ’.'a,' that | expect New Zealanders to behave—i (loud aoulauseY . ' Sir Joseph Ward also expressed exI ironic eratifration with the commute j cation from the Mavor of Albany and I said he thought all members of the i House would acknowledge his couri t-esv in doing so much to remove any i possible stigma from the fair name o ■j New Zealand.