THE VOLUNTEER SCANDAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12535, 24 June 1901, Page 6

THE VOLUNTEER SCANDAL.

We think that Mr Wi’ford is quite justified in pressing for -a public inquiry, before an independent Commission, into the unfortunate scandal that has arisen in connection with the camp at Newtown Park. Nothing could, of course, excuse the Volunteers for joining in a procession that wasintended to bring ridicule and discredit upon their officers. Their offence was so * subversive of discipline that it is difficult to think of anything short of actual dismissal by which it could be adequately punished. But. an inquiry before snob a Commission as the one Mr Wilford demands, provided its order of reference were made wide enough, would probably show that the men who paraded the streets of Wellington were not alone, to. blame. We do- not attaeJi a great deal of importance to the, illchosen words that are attributed to Colonel Pole-Penton. If they were really used we can only say that the Commandant does not possess the tact and dignity that are necessary, for the successful discharge of his very responsible duties. But his term of office is drawing to a close, and as such expressions as “infernal curs” and “infernal cowards” are not to be found in the military regulations, we prefer to believe, with the “New Zealand Times,” that tho Commandant was misunderstood by the reporter who recorded his words. It would be- x of more consequence to discover who was responsible, after Colonel PolePenton, for the Shocking mismanagement at Newtown Park. That the men were outrageously neglected there can -be no dc(ubt. “There has been absolutely no organisation!;” is the testimony of the “New Zealand' Times,” which obtained its information on the spot. “The men, >who have given up their pursuits in the. country to come to town to do honour to Royalty, have had a wretched experience; bo bad that many of them vow that wild horses would be incapable of dragging them to Wellington again.” It appears that the “skeleton march” through tho streets, of Wellington- was not by any means the only demonstration of the kind that was made by the sufferers. Within the environs of the camp itself, “burial services” were held, and half-raw meat and bad rations were consigned to earth by hatless troopers with much chanting of the “ Dead March ” and mock funeral cere--* monies. Before they proceeded to these improprieties the men did their best to get their grievances redressed by legitimate means, but, unfortunately, Colonel Pole-Penton- and Ids immediate officers were too much, absorbed by their attendance upon the Royal party to give any attention to the Volunteers they had summoned to Wellington. Colonel Sommerville was nomipally in charge, but he had no real executive powers, and his representations with regard to the commissariat were deliberately ignored. AIT this points to a state of disorganisation at the. Defence Office that would permit of repetition, of the scandal at any time.' There is reason to fear, indeed; that the mismanagement and' blundering at headquarters is already reflected to some ex-, tent in Christchurch. The complaints that reach us from the local camp suggest that the arrangements made here for the accommodation of tho men attending to-day’s review might be vastly improved. A property constituted Commission would discover, not only the defects in the system, but also the officers who are responsible for their existence. Then we shbuld be in a position to make reforms that would at least save us from the reproach of starving the men who- have cheerfully, undertaken the defence of the country. For this reason we hope that Mr Seddon will accede to Mr Wilford’s very proper request. \ •