EXPLANATION ASKED FOR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1914, Page 8

EXPLANATION ASKED FOR

A CHAPLAIN'S CRITICISM WAS IT SUBVERSIVE OF DISCIPLINE? V (BT mKGJUPn.-- PRESS ASSOCIATION.) PALMERSTON N., This Day. As a sequel to the report supplied to the pr-ees on tho Takapau camp, arrangements, the Defence authorities have forwarded the following letter to the Rev. F. W. Boys:— New Zealand Military Force. From Headquarters, Wellington Infantry Brigade. Palmerston North, loth May, 1914. To the Rev. F. W, Boys, Chaplain to the Forces. 7th (W.W.C.), Wellington Regiment, Waaiganui. With reference to tho report appearing under your name in the Manawatu Evening Standard dated Mny, 1914, will you inform me if you havo been correctly reported ? If this statement is correct, please explain your action in publishing throiigh the medium of the pree» criticisms, which cannot but be regarded a<s ■subversive of disaipline, on matters connected with the conduct of officers and others at the camp held at Takapau. Your attention is directed to the fact that officers of the Detence forces are in time of -peace subject to military law as laid down m section 15, Defence Amendment Act, 1912, as well as the provisions 1913 from -which tho following is an extract (Paragraph 207) : — "Any officer of the Defence forces proved to have -written or to have instigated any communication to a- newspaper on matters connected with the Dofence forces or any portion thereof, or calling- in question or reflecting upon any action of the Defence Department or any act of any (superior officer, is guilty of insubordinaoitn, and is liable to be dealt with accordingly." An eaxly reply is requested. H. R, POTTER, Major, N.Z.S.C., Brigade-Major Wellington Infantry Brigade. Tho reply of tho Rev. Mr. Boys is aa follows : — ■ * St. Paul's Methodist Parsonage, Palmerston North, 15th May. 19M. To the Headquarters, Wellington Infantry Brigade, Major Potter, Brigade-Major. Dear Sir,— ln reply to your memorandum dated 15th May, the report appearing in the Manawatu Evening Standard dated 12th May under my name is auite correct. Yours faithfully, FRED. W. BOYS.