OFFICERS' FRIENDS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 169, 19 July 1943, Page 2

OFFICERS' FRIENDS

CONDUCT OFF DUTY DEMOCRATIC TRADITION (0.C.) SYDNEY, July 16. Two court-martials this week aroused more than the usual interest because in effect they established the right of army officers to mix with other ranks when not on duty. A major, who had been seen drinking whisky in Prince's Restaurant with a staff-sergeant and a warrant officer, was found not guilty of conduct. prejudicial to good order and military discipline. The prosecutor admitted that there was no regulation against doing what the major had done, but maintained that the major should have know that •it was not the right thing. He said this was not because of class consciousness, snobbery or military tradition, but was a "dire military necessity." He pictured the possibility of officers, having imbibed too freely, "becoming very pally, embracing and carrying on little frivolities." On the other hand, he said, they might become quarrelsome. It would be difficult for an officer if next day he had to discipline for some army misbehaviour a man with whom he had been drinking the night before. The Sydney Morning Herald says that it is understood that no more such charges will be laid, although no official statement will be issued [on it. The Herald quotes one officer as saying: "We hold strongly to the view that the Australian Army Is a democratic one. In time of peace a man makes friends in every walk of life, and although in time of war some of these men are appointed to commissioned rank by virtue of their special knowledge and aptitude, or by virtue of their good fortune, that is no reason why such friendships should be discouraged in time of war. "That an attempt should have been made, presumably on high authority, to break down the democratic foundations of our army is not merely to be regretted but strongly resisted."