MILITARY JUSTICE

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 190, 12 August 1920, Page 5

MILITARY JUSTICE

PARLIAMENT HAS DOUBTS

[from our correspondent.]

WBLLINGTON, Aug. 11. A case which has formerly taken up public attention was reviewed in the House to-day, when the Public Petitions Committee reported in regard to a petition by Hi H. Thompson, . who was convicted by court-martial in New Zealand j and served 93 days' imprisonment, ion a charge of knowingly making a false statement regarding the sobriety of

a captain. ■, :,■'•! , The . committee recommended. Thompson's petition for redress to the Government's .favorable iconsider'atidh. ; .. . Mr Dicksori, chairman of the committee, mentioned that it: had reported favorably to Thompson last year but the Government , did. nothing. He regarded it as a serious case of injustice. Mr Veitch strongly, condemned,the system of military ■court-martial, which provided for an officers tribunal to hear a charge by a private against an officer. lathis case Thompson charged Ciurt.Hqtop with drunkenness, and, whether; he was mistaken or not, it looked as it the officers stood together to protect a brother officer. , Mr Young: UA conspiracy to protect a captain and condemn lhomp-

Mr Veitch: "I would not like to say that, but if you say so I won t contradict you." Mr Isitt declared that the* petitioner was victimised through the mistaken idea that it was the duty of the officers to protect a fellowofficer, i xi Various members discussed tue reported character of the two principal parties concerned, and the Minister for Defence promised to look into the case, having m mind whnt he had heard in the House.. The committee's recommendation was adopted.