A gentle reminder here. "The English" is a really abusive term when the average Joe never had the vote till 1918 in the UK and the average Josephine in the 1920's. The people of the British Isles were as put upon by royalty, the aristocracy and the rich as the Irish and Scots.
Yes I know the Irish and Scots had their land stolen but they have been running their own affairs for some time so if it is a grievance then sort it out and stop putting this on "The English". Or at least the general poor English.
Do what you like with the aristo's who would treat you with utter contempt anyway.

If events overseas affect Australians then of course
Memorials should be allowed as part of historical
facts. Japan did use Korean, Chinese, Dutch, and
Australian women as sexual slaves in WWII.

I do not believe that a Memorial is in breach of
section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
The intent was not to offend, insult, humiliate
or intimidate any person or group of people.
Rev. Bill Crews - the Uniting Church-run Foundation
Gardens in Ashfield who's allowed the statue to be
placed in the Gardens states quite clearly that" -

"This is not a diatribe against Japan. It is about
the way women get treated in wars..."

It is about calling an end to war and violence and the
security of human rights.

None of us should accept violence against people, Or
of people being abused and sexually exploited.
The statue sends the message that this is wrong.

History should not be whitewashed.

cont'd ...

Anyone remember the 1997 film - "Paradise Road"
directed by Bruce Beresford, starring Glenn Close.
It was about English, American, Dutch and Australian
women captured by the Japanese in Sumatra during
WWII?

Just jogging some memories.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Road_(1997_film)

cont'd ...

Ooops, I made a mistake.

I'll try again:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Road_(1997_film)

Have the Movie. They were treated inhumanely. Horrific!

JB,

Just to be pedantic,

"The people of the British Isles were as put upon by royalty, the aristocracy and the rich as the Irish and Scots."

The Irish and Scots are people of the British Isles, the British Isles includes Ireland and Scotland is a part of the main island.

"Yes I know the Irish and Scots had their land stolen but they have been running their own affairs for some time ...."

The island of Ireland is still divided into the Republic of Ireland and British Occupied territory so the Irish do not entirely control their own affairs, Westminster still has a say, politically and militarily, and as the seat of most power is in London then blaming "the English" is geographically and politically appropriate.

Just to finish off,
"Do what you like with the aristo's who would treat you with utter contempt anyway"
The members of the British Aristocracy that I know have been really nice people and all have taken seriously their responsibilities towards their tenants and in the case of the Scots ones their duties towards the extended family that is their Clan.
Not all members of the Nobility are by any means rich or even well off.
A retired postman from Tasmania, who took his seat in the House of Lords for one day, in borrowed regalia, springs to mind.