GENERAL GODLEY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3173, 25 August 1917, Page 2

GENERAL GODLEY

NOT TO BE CONDEMNED UNHEARD SIR JOSEPH WARD'S VIEW "I do not r ( ne.slion the motives of the two members who have made references to General Godley in this House," said Sir Joseph Ward in I lie House of li'eprosenlatives last niglil. "The members ate enlilled lo their opinions. Bui I wn 111. to ray that I was responsible for the appointment of General (lodle.v in the Defonco forces of this country. I had a great deal lo do with lyui when the Territorial system was being established, and 1 can say with every confidence that for lad, diplomacy, sympathy, and care in the exercise of very I difficult and delicate operations, I have 1 not met his superior. It is niv opinion that tlio members who heard these rumours at the front—and I will say (hat .Mr. Massey and I heard them also— should have written to the Minister of Defence on the subject." Air. Parr (Eden): I wrote to the Prime M mister. Sir Joseph Ward: I was not. aware of that. I think that the complaint should have been placed befcre the Defence Minister, or the Prime Minister, and that the document should have, been sent to General Godlev in order that he might report upon it. I do not believe that any man should be condemned unheard. T feel that when a matter of this kind is discussed publicly ■ in time of war, there is a great probability of affecting the morale of the' men under General Godley. The statements are bound to be read in the trenches by

men whose lives are at the disposition of the officer who is being attacked. Mr. l,ee (Oamaru): How about, the feelings of their mothers? Sir Joseph Ward: That has to lie considered. But in time of war I think General Godley should have had the op-, portunity of reporting 011 the statement, and then the Minister should have had the opportunity of carefully considering the position and bringing it before his colleagues when lie hud decided what should .be done, if anything. Mr. Massey and I heard some of these rumours that were going about among the men at the Iron I. We heard nothing that in any way reliected upon the courage of General Godley. An unpopular officer may be ;i. very good officer. Marlborough was haled by his officers and men, but ho was followed and he succeeded. 1 regard General Godley as a brave soldier am| a good soldier. •