THE KNYVETT CASE. INDIGNATION MEETING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 12, 15 January 1910, Page 9

THE KNYVETT CASE. INDIGNATION MEETING.

RESOLUTION PASSED.. fUI TELEGRAPH— PRESS ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, 14th January. The Federal Hall contained upwards of one thousand people (besides which there were several hundreds outside who were unable to obtain admission) to-night, when an indignation meeting was held in connection with the dismissal from the volunteer service of Captain Knyvett. Mr. C. J. Parr presided. The chairman said a gross injustice had been done to a most efficient officer, and it would appear that all was not well at headquarters in Wellington. (Loud applause.) On his mention of the name of Colonel Robin, there was a chorus of "Boohs !" and cries of "Put him out !" It was wrong to suppose, said Mr. Parr, that an officer could not make complaints of his superior officer. The .regulations permitted it, provided such complaint went through the proper channel. Captain Knyvett's complaint was in proper form, went through the proper channel, and was in his (Mr. Parr's) opinion, in order. The charge made against Colonel Robin remained to-day unanswered either by the Chief* of Staff or the Government. The public had a right to know who had inspired the whole business. He moved :—: — "That this meeting of citizens of Auckland expresses its indignation at the unjust sentence passed upon Captain F. B. Knyvett, in spite of the fact that a court of enquiry, after fully investigating the charges made against him, expressed themselves as satisfied, and practically acquitted him; and this meeting is further of opinion that 'the whole matter should be re-opened and a Royal Commission be held concerning the conduct of the head of the Defence Council and the general administration of this department, and that, pending such enquiry the notice dismissing Captain Knyvett be withdrawn." Mr. G. L. Peacock, who seconded the motion, said the people of New Zealand could tolerate blunders due to honest stupidity, but "not what he might call vindictive blunders. The chairman read telegrams of sympathy with the movement from Messrs. A. J. Greenslade and T. M. Wilford, M.P.'s, A. J. Entrican, and a number of citizens. Mr. Wilford offered to introduce a deputation to the Minister for Defence in the effort to prove that someone had blundered. Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., in supporting the motion, said he was there in defence of Captain Knyvett. (Loud applause.) They were not going to allow him to.be "executed" without entering a protest. Mr. A. E. Glover, M.P., .said Captain Knyvett might have committed a little military delinquency, but a fine would have met the ends of justice. If an enquiry was not held before next session he was not afraid of a Prime Minister or anyone else, and would see justice done if perseverance would do it. MR. MASSEY SPEAKS. Mr. W. F. Massey, M.P., was greeted on rising with, prolonged applause and three cheers. He said he was not present as Leader of the Opposition nor as M.P. for Franklin, but as a citizen of the Dominion, to protest against an injustice that had been done, and to assist in having it remedied. He was not there to make party capital out of the affair. (Applause.) They had a case which called for public support and assistance. Captain Knyvett was one of our most valued volunteer officers. He did not refer to what he had done in this country, but to what he had done in South Africa. • (Loud applause.) Captain Knyvett had lifted his company from what appeared to be its last legs to one of the strongest and most efficient companies in the country. What was his reward? He had been disgraced as far as he could be by the department. Was it not a fact that Captain Knyvett's letter of complaint was sent through the proper channel ? What followed ? A Court of Enquiry was set up. (A voice : "A fake.") i Yes, not a court that would appeal to the public or to him ; not a court-martial that would appeal to military men. He did not know what to call it, but in any case that body was in favour of Captain Knyvett. Who, then, passed sentence ? (A voice : "Joe Ward. ) He did not profess to- know, but the people wanted to know who dismissed Captain Knyvett. The remedy for what had taken, place was set forth in the regulations — to appoint a Royal Commission. This commission should consist of capable and experieinced men in whom the country would have confidence. If they could not have Judges of the Supreme Court, they should have Stipendiary Magistrates, and there was one man of all others he would like to see on the commission, and that was Mr. Northcroft, S.M. (Loud applause.) Captain Knyvett and his friends were, he understood, ready to abide by the decision of a . Royal Commission. He (the speaker) regretted exceedingly what had taken place, because last session Parliament passed ths Defence Act, providing for universal military training, the proper encouragement of volunteering, and the placing of the Dominion in a position to defend itself. But if that system was to be effective we must have very different administration to the present.- (Loud applause.) The resolution was then unanimously carried by acclamation. A DEPUTATION. Mr. W. E. Hackett moved : "That it is desirable that a deputation of four citizens be appointed to proceed to Wellington to lay the whole matter before the Defence Minister, and request him to place the facts before Cabinet, with a view of carrying out the resolution passed at this meeting, and that the following gentlemen represent this meeting : Mr. J. S. Dickson, Mr. O. Nicholson, Mr. Gerald Peacocke, and Mr. . W. B. Leyland." Mr. F. Lawiy, M.P., seconded the resolution, and speakers in its support were the Rev. Canon Mac Murray and Dr. Stopford. The motion was enthusiastically carried.

Large numbers of Dunedin visitors are at present holiday-making at Stewart Island, thus testifying to the growing popularity of that locality as a tourist resort. The boarding-houses are reported to be having a profitable time, although many visitors believe in using the cooler and more popular tent.