CONDUCT OF OFFICERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2796, 14 June 1916, Page 6

CONDUCT OF OFFICERS

A. QUESTION IN THE HOUSE,

In the House yesterday afternoon iff. Hindmarsh gave notice to ask the Minister of Defence whether, seeing that Uenernl Godley said that an officer should bo a gentleman, which accords with the best traditions of the British Army, the Minister of Defence will inquire into the conduct of Captain Fraser and Lieutenant Potter towards Statt'-Sergeant-.Major Archer and another staff sergeant-major at the Lambton Railway Station just prior to the departure of the train for Featherston, and in a first-class carriage in that train oil Sunday, June 11, and whether* if tlio Defenco Minister finds tho result of such inquiry to be that Eraser and Potter acted in a manner unworthy, of gentlemen, he will dispense with tKeii' services as officers, on the ground that they do. not possess tho essential characteristics of officers. In an explanation appended to his question Mr. Hindmarsh said: "Stalf-Sergeant-Major Archer, formerly in tho Scots Greys, went through tho South African War and Zulu Rebellion. Ho was in New Zealand when war broke out, and volunteered for service in the ordinary way. He was asked to sit for a. commission,' but in the meantime acted as instructor of officers and men, where he has remained, giving satisfaction to all concerned.- On Sunday night last he took a first-class ticket and entered a first-class carriage, together with another staff sergeant-major in the Featherston train. A military polieaiuaa 'came into the carriage and ordered thein out, saying that thecarriage was reserved for . officers. Staff-Sergearit-Major Archer refused to go out. The policeman stated there were two officers outside who wished to enter this carriage. Soon after tho policeman returned a second time and said ho had orders to got them out of. the carriage as these two officers wanted to get into the carriage. After the train moved off, Fraser and Potter entered the carriage and ordered, the staff-sergeant-major out (the train being crowded with civilians at the time) saying: 'This carriage is for officers only.' Archer then got up and walked out. As there was not seating accommodation, he got out at Ngahauranga. Potter is a mere youth, and bas just returned from Duntroon, and since his return has been under a staff-ser-geant-major for instruction. Potter, about a month ago, ordered some staff-sergeant-majors and sergeants out of "a." room in the Tauherenikau Hotel, saying that the room was reserved for officers. Staff-sergeant-majors on military business are allowed first-class warrants for both boat and railway travelling. At/ the. time Archer, was ordered out of the trAiu he was wearing four medal ribbons. Ho is a man of mature years, a citizen of Wellington, and-a householder, and has a wife and four children."