"RESERVED FOR OFFICERS"

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 153, 29 June 1916, Page 2

"RESERVED FOR OFFICERS"

INCIDENTS IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE

REPORT OF COURT OF ENQUIRY.

An incident which occurred at Lambton Railway Station on 11th June was dealt with in the report of the Court of Enquiry read by the Minister of Defence in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. It was alleged by Mr. Hindmarsh, who asked a question in the House about the matter, that two officers—Captain Fraser and Lieutenant Potter—ordered Staff Sergeant-Major Archer out of a first-class carriage, saying- that the carriage was reserved for officers. It was further stated that Archer got up and walked out, and that, as there was not sitting accommodation on the train, he quitted the train at Ngabauranga,

The Court- of Enquiry was composed' of Major R. Neave* Essex Regiment, Captain Cardale, N.Jv.S.G, and Captain Bradley, R.N.Z.A.

The Court was instructed to enquire as' to the actual events which took place on Lambion Station, concerning Staff Sergeant-Major Archer being ordered out of a first-class carriage, in order to make room for Captain Fraser and Lieutenant Potter. They were also asked tc answer the following questions :

(2)./Whether there was any insubordination on the part of Sergeant-Major Archer?

(3) Whether or not there was any first-class compartment for n.co.'s on the train ?

(4) Whether Staff Sergeant-Major Archer complained or discussed the alleged incident, with any civilian or member of Parliament., instead of through tho proper military channels

The Court was instructed, finally, to enquire closely into the conduct of the two officers especially, and also into the conduct of any officers who were concerned in the alleged incident, both a;; regards their conduct as officers and gentlemen, and more particularly in relation to the attitude of Staff SergeantMajor Archer.

The answers to the questions were as follow : (2) : Yes, in the words used, in addressing Captain Fraser; (3) : No; (4) : Yes. The offending words used by Staff Sergeant-Major Archer were : "When you want a seat, don't send a policeman to turn me out," or "words to this effect.

The Court stated its opinion on the affair generally as follows :

The whole incident appears' to have been the outcome of a certain amount of want of. tact on the part of the officers, and ignorance, as to how to deal with a situation of this sort on their side, and an apparent resentment on the part of Staff Sergeant-Major Archer in receiving. orders from a lance-corporal of police, who, however, was undoubtedly acting on the order of the officers, as well as on their military police instructions.

With- reference to the conduct of Captain Eraser, this officer appears to have acted in a manner showing a certain want of tact in dealing with the situation. The evidence tends to show symptoms of a slightly aggressive manner towards the Staff Sergeant-Major before the actual conversation between the officers .concerned and Staff Sergeant-Major Archer occurred. At the same time, there is nothing to show that he acted in any; way to the prejudice of an officer and a gentleman. With reference to the conduct of Lieutenant Potter, Cne remarks as to the conduct of Captainl .Eraser apply to this officer as regards his want of tact and manner. This officer had already found a seat for himself. It was his anxiety to find a seat for Captain Fraser which caused him to give the order which led to the incident. The evidence equally shows in his case that there was nothing in his conduct to his prejudice as an officer and a gentleman. With reference to the conduct of Staff Sergeant .-Major Archer, this non-com-missioned officer was evidently unaware of any particular carriage being reserved for oificers or warrant officers when he first took his seat in the first-class carriage. His. manner to the lance-corporal of police when the latter informed him that the carnage he was in was for officers only and another carriage was reserved for warrant officers and staff ser-geant-majors was not conducive to discipline, as tlris lance-corporal was only carrying out his duties, and it was immaterial whether this military policeman was acting on the orders of the officers concerned or under the instructions issued to the Camp Military Police when, on train duty., As regards his conduct towards, Captain Fraser and Lieutenant Potter, his behaviour was all that could be desired up to the time he was actually leaving the carriage. His remarks, however, to Captain Fraser on leaving the carriage were insubordinate and extremely reprehensible in a non-commis-sioned officer of his service and training: His leaving the train on the excuse of want of seating accommodation, which, in any case, evidence shows was not the fact, was quite unjustified, as was his subsequent action in discussing the matter with civilians, and Mr. Hindmarsh, in particular, being a member of Parliament. His evidence shows that he was aware of proper military channels through which any complaints could be made.

Colonel Tate, Adjutant-iGeneral. in a report to the G.0.C., states :—" I do not concur 'with the finding of the Court that there was a- certain want of tact evinced by Captain Fraser and Lieutenant Potter in dealing with the situation, as far as I am in a position to be guided by the actual evidence. This may, perhaps, be the Court's impression from -the demeanour of the witnesses more than from the actual. evidence in words."

Commenting on tho incident and the report tho Minister said : I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing very much in it either way, and that it is best to leave the thing with this reading of the finding of the Court of Enquiry as I have read il to the House. It appears that it all arose through there not being on the train sufficient firstclass accommodation for officers and warrant officers (who are entitled to firstclass accommodation). There was not even enough for officers, some of whom had to travel in a second-class compartment.

Mr. Hindmarsh : Do you propose to take any further action against Archer? Mr. Allen : No, 1 don't propose to take any further action.