THE COURT OF INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 300, 17 December 1917, Page 6

THE COURT OF INQUIRY.

TWO IMPERIAL . OFnCEM, SITTINGS AT AUCKLAND.' I (Special to "Stari") V WELLINGTON, this day.NInterviewed on Sunday night th» Defence Minister stated that the llotuihi escapees had not been recaptured. Ht added that the Court of Inquiry.into tin matter comprises Colonel C. R. Mw Donald, and Lieutenairt-Colonel JJeave, both Imperial officers engaged in th« training camps, and .Lieutenant-Colonel Gumming, of Auckland, who has had service at the front. They proceed to Auckland to-day. The Wellington "Post," evidently re> fleeting an uneasy feeling prevailing, hers that. slackness regarding enemy prisoners, may not be confined to Motdihi officials,- remarks ■ editorially:—"lt is evident on the" face!*.of it that tie escape is due to some grave deliquencj on the part of some person or persons or system, and calls' foV oxemplttj punishment." It points: out that the Minister of Defence has been criticise!, even persecuted, by persons* urging stronger measures regarding •; eneniy aliens, but the cold facts of Motuihi show that critics have had on a large measure of justification. "VOiat is required," says the "Post," "ie a resolute and fearless search for causes, not for scrapegoata." . Major S. C. Schofield, who has been appointed commandant of Jlotuiii pending the court martial, was attached to the Third (Auckland) Mounted Bifles.aji has seen two years' active service in tt» present war, having left New Zealand with the Main B7dy of tho-Erpedition*r| Force. ■. •'•