COMMISSIONS AT THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3052, 13 April 1917, Page 8

COMMISSIONS AT THE FRONT

MERIT THE ONLY QUALIFICATION ; A statement about the appointment of members of the New Zealand 'Expeditionary Force to commissions at the front was made by the Defence Minister yesterday. Sir James Allen said that a suggestion had been made that these promotions were not always made on considerations of merit. "I have made very careful inquiries regarding the appointment of officers at- the front," said Sir James Allen, "and as far as 1 can gather the Appointments are made' on the merits of the men. I am advised that when appointments are to be made the sole tests are merit and suitability, and that the claim of any soldier would never be considered unless and until he was recommended for promotion by his commanding officer." Sir James /'Hen added that he made this statement because he did tfot want tho parents of the men to think that they might possibly help their sons by making application to him in New Zealand. This could not do them any good.

Reference to the death of Mr. D. R. Gage is made in the annual report of the Wellington Rugby , Union as follows:—"Since our last meeting a familiar figure in Rugby footballDavid R. Gage—has passed away. For many year's his name was a household word among followers of the game. As a club and inter-provincial player lie set a very high standard of play. He was a member of the famous Native team which toured England in 1888-9, playing in nearly every game of the seventy-four played on that occasion, and there putting the seal on his reputation as a great player in every sense. On belialf of past and present players, ■we desire to extend our sincere sympathy to his relatives in the loss they havo sustained."