DISMISSAL CASE

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 May 1940, Page 9

DISMISSAL CASE

NEW ZEALAND OFFICER

LONDON, March 26.

Claiming that he has been dismissed 'by the War Office after making a report alleging extravagance, waste, and irregularities in the building of militia camps, a New Zealander, Major Alan Reid-Kellett, D. 5.0., M.C., who was born in Christchurch and educated at Canterbury College, has issued a statement offering to bring witnesses and documents, proving his', charges l to a full public inquiry, if the War Office will institute one.

“I was appointed an executive engineer jn the Southern' Command on May 23, 1939, in a civil capacity. My designation was subsequently changed to liaison officer in charge of certain camps,” Major Reid-Kellett s'aid in his statement “During a month at the camps l I had my attention drawn to questions of workmanship, supervision, and the prices paid for materials. One June 27 I wrote to the Commander, Royal Engineers, calling attention to these matters. For this report I was commended. On July 7 the Commander, Royal Engineers, was informed by telephone that the Director of Fortifications and Works at the War Office resented my report, and that he had asked the contractors and the resident surveyors if there were any truth in it and that they had denied it.

“I -was forbidden to go on to the pamps, but kept on drawing my pay for three months. On October 9 I was given an appointment as garrison engineer at Larkhill, again in a civil capacity. The next .day I wrote to Sir John Simon, as I had read that he would consider any information, regarding waste. I received a formal acknowledgment, but nothing happened. I wrote again. On October 25 I was called from my office, and a letter was read to me which said that my attitude was not in keeping with the traditions of the Service, and that I was dismissed. “It is how six months 1 since I have been out of a job because I had the temerity to show how I- considered the taxpayers’ money was being wasted. I have had the painful experience of seeing my savings exhausted because I did what I conceived was 1 my public duty, and for which I was praised. Had I said •nothing 1 would be at work. I feel that I have made sacrifices in file public interest. Surely the authorities have nothing to lose by a full public inquiry. Let them test my claims. I am ready to bring witnesses and documents.”

: STATEMENT BY MINISTER. . A question hi the Commons was asked by Mr. R. R. Stokes, Labour M.P. for Ipswich. He inquired whether theSecretary of State for War was,aware that Major Alan Reid-Kellett, employed as a liaison officer iir the construe-! lien of militia camps at Devizes and' subsequently as garrison engineer at Larkhill in a civilian capacity, was, 1 subsequent to his engagement in. the' latter work, dismissed from his job on account of reports which he had made

concerning the extravagance, wasteand irregularities going on in the construction of camps at Devizes: He asked whether the Minister' would take immediate ’ steps tor see that Major Reid-Kellett was reinstated 1 in his employment at Larkhill or re-engaged in some other suitable work. Sir, Victor Warrender, Financial Secretary’to the Wai- Office: Mr. Oliver Stanley has satisfied himself that he would not be justified in ordering the re-engagement of Major ReidKellett. ‘ • Mr. Stokes asked whether the' Financial .Secretary was aware that this mam was employed as a civilian and not as a soldier, that he was.dismissed, from his second job on account- of action, taken in the first job, and did he, think it- fair that should take-place' 'without-a'proper inquiry, as this man was now penniless in spite of his distinguished service in the last war?

Sir Victor Warrender: All these considerations have been taken into-ac-count by the Secretary for War. and I do not think that I can add anything. ■ .. Mr. Stokes: Dees the Minister admit that there was no proper inquiry into the facts of this case? . Sir Victor Warrender: No, sir. "