THE KNYVETT CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 33, 8 February 1910, Page 7

THE KNYVETT CASE.

AN OFFICER'S OPINION. "Heaven help the citizen soldiers if this is the way the new Defence Act is to be ushered in," declared one of the leading officers of the Auckland Garrison. The decision of the Cabinet not to go bade on its original finding is not surprising to the officer in question, since the loss of prestige would, he thinks, have been considerable. At 'the same time be considers the penalty a. most unjust one, and says the whole procedure, including the mock trial in Auckland 1 , has led to a spirit of the greatest unrest and discontent in the volunteering community. PARL_AMEsNT._RY OPINIONS. Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., when interviewed, said the Prime Minister's decision in connection with the Knyvett case was a surprise to him, and in his opinion would result in further developments of a most unsatisfactory nature. "It would seom that the general opinion of tho people who know most of this case has been practically ignored," said the memher for Auckland -West, "while for the sake of prestige, the Department has taken up an unbending and unsatisfactory position all through. In the interests of volunteering, and the application of the new Defence Act, I sincerely hope that some development will take place to clear the atmosphere of this feeling that an injustice has ibeen done to one of the most enthusiastic officers in the whole service." Mr. Frank La-wry, M.P., was also surprised at Cabinet's decision not to reopen the case. "1 sliaro the general feeling that an -injustice has ibeen done," said Mr. Lawry, "and I cannot help thinking that a very serious mistake has been made in refusing to accede to a request for a full and thorough investigation, when it is so very apparent that the proceedings before the Court of Inquiry were irregular. In any case, if the offenre had been proved, a censure would have been sufficient, and the service would not have lost one of its most enthusiastic and efficient officers."

WELLINGTON COMMENT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. Editorial reference is made by the local newspapers to Cabinet's latest decision in the Knyvett case. The "Times" concludes its article in the following blunt way: —"We have uli along expressed the belief that Mr Knyvett 'la weil out of tho forces, and there is nothing.in the latest information available on the subject to make amendment of that opinion necessary. It is raUier unfortunate, though, that the enforcement of discipline should involve the penalty of having to withstand the parochial rage of Auckland, bUt it was clearly desirable that the Government should let it be understood that its responsible officers were not going to be terrorised by 'mass meetings' or 'influential deputations.' Today we hear from Auckland that certain unspecified persons are going to 'fight the matter to a finish, and take it to the law courts.' This seems quite the best thing to do. Any course of action which will put an end to the stump speeches of tho last few month* will have our hearty support."

The "Post" comments on the matter in more graceful language. "We have admired the epiritedness of the Auckland people in many departments of activity," says the evening journal. "Thoy go whole-heartedly into a project, and it is, therefore, doubly unfortunate that they are proving 'Irreconcilable' in the Knyvett casa. Wo are sorry to see Auckland in this mood, but wo think 'that calm reflection should persuade the Northerners that duty to New Zealand obliged the Defence authorities to adhere to their decision. The penalty is painful for the oflicer, who has done excellent work, as commentators to all centres have admitted, but he has been found guilty of insubordination, and discipline must be maintained if this country is to have any military efficiency. Possibly Jjord Kitchener's visit may help to remove some of the Auckland soreness; we hope co, for the Aucklanders have been vigorous New Zealanders, with all their zest for such little trifles as the San Francisco mail service."