2.44 release branch has been created

[Nick Clifton]

Hi Richard,

> The SHF_STRINGS issue(s) need to be resolved before the release is made, this is causing some fallout on existing code (and the issue Alan mentions is causing problems 
> building older versions of gcc).

A good point.  Please could you apply your fix to the 2.44 branch as well ?

Thanks.

Cheers
   Nick