THE KNYVETT CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 66, 18 March 1910, Page 5

THE KNYVETT CASE.

MANUKAU INDIGNATION MEETING. The first Manukau public indignation meeting in connection with, the Knyvett case was held in the Masonic Hall, Otahuhu, last evening. The hall was packed to the doors. Mr. John Todd, J.P., Chairman Otahuhu Road Board, occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks said it gave him much pleasure to preside over such, a meeting. ■•• They were there to express their indignation • at- the treatment received by Captain. Knyvett. They felt that Captain Knyvett had not, had fair play or the justice to -which every Britieber wae ■ entitled. He then proposed the following resolution:— this meeting of Electors "of Manukau views with regret and indignation the decision of the Government to adhere to the grossly unjust sentence passed upon Captain Knyvett with respect to charges against which he has not been allowed a, proper opportunity of defending himself, : which had never been proved, and for , which, if they had been proved, the ' puni ishment is out of all proportion to the ; offence." •-.-■• . • ■ Mr. F. W. Lang, M.P., in , seconding the , resolution, said there -was no Department • whose method*, required more looking , into than the Defence Department.., iv . was of the utmost importance that , people should have the fullest conn- , dence in the ■ administration of * this -De- , partment, especially now that the com•i pulsory system has come into force. Hβ .' spoke strongly in favour of a Kqyal . Commission. He said the charges mad^.. . . - by Captain Knyvett had not • been ; in- ■ ; i quired. into. If there was nothing- to '■■-*■&. > hide, why not court the "fullest, inquiry?. : It seemed to Mm that Captain Knyvetb had been punished because he was an - energetic, hard-working .officer, who "did , all in his power to advance .volunteering !. in general and Ms company ! in;par- . ticular. _ . . '.''.: :. ' Mr. J. S. Dickson, the next speaker, • gave a Ibrief account of the case from the ( beginning. He said were not fight- ! ing a party or political fight. They were l fighting for justice and would -not-stop ; till justice was done. He concluded- by ; thanking -the people of Otahuhu for- the i splendid way they had turned out. [ The Chairman then put the -first reso- . lution, which was carried unanimously. • Mr. A. Sturges then propos'edj-"That : it is the opinion of tihis meeting of eleci tore of Manukau, in view of the disclo- . ■ sures made in connection •wit-h the Kny- ; vett case as -well as- the general state of . unrest and dissatisfaction ' evident : 'throughout the cotontry,.tb.at there, are i strong and undoubted grounds for be- > lieving that there Should Ibe at once set ) up a Royal Commission of Inquiry into i the Administration of: the Defence De- > partment." He considered hat a Royal i Commission should be set up. He said i t hat an inquiry -would let daylight in and enable them to get to the bottom of the whole matter., : C. Mr.-. John Brady seconded the. resolution, and said that Capt. Knyvett had. .been treated harshly, Ihis punishment being out -of all proportion to the offence. c He would like to see a Royal Conunia~, ! sion to inquire into the case. J . ■> The resolution on being" put was car* *" . ried unanimously. 4j I A vote of thanks" to the Chairman teri j minated a very enthusiastic meeting. ============= --'