The Case of Mr Ozanne.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372833, 6 August 1917, Page 2

The Case of Mr Ozanne.

("Evening Post.") SYDNEY, July 25. There is a sequel to the case of ex-Quartermaster-Scrgeant Ozanne, whose story has already been told in New Zenland. Mr Ozanne was the Labour member for Corio in the Federal House. He was an able enough young journalist and politician, but because he wns idways so very sure of himself, be made enemies. When he enlisted, perhaps a year ago, he made many new friends, and his enemies were forgotten. In due course there came letters from Mr Ozanne from the front. They contained moving descriptions of winter in the trenches and the fine conduct of the boys. The Corio electors spoke with pride of their member "doing his bit." Then came disconcerting reports. Mr Ozanne was being sent homo as unfit: he had been discharged before he left with his unit for France. How, then, did he come to write these stirring letters from the front? Tt was found that as an Australian M.P., been granted permission to visit tho front as a spectator and guest of the War Office. Then came a report from Major-General Monash, the legislator-soldier's commander, who reported him absent without leave when his unit sailed for France, and declared tht he had "made every effort to bring this n.c.o. under his jurisdiction, so that he could be dealt with for this offence, but he had not been supported by the authorities in London in the matter." It was afterwards discovered that Ozanne was not blameworthy iu regard to this. While he was "absent without leave'' he was in the hands of the intermediate base in London, whose officers had decided he was unfit, and discharged him. But they treated him well. Their latest report, which has just been received in Melbourne, says, inter alia: "Ozanne has gono back by the P. and 0. Company. We paid the extra money for him at the request of the High Commissioner. I was surprised to learn from him that he is well off, but he absolutely declined to pay a shilling extra towards his fare, and would have preferred to go by transport. Before he went I. thought it well that, as he was a member of Parliament, he should see exactly how things were in France, at Salisbury or anywhere else where our troops arc, and he went around at tho expense of the Commonwealth. I enclose this account from Weymouth, where he spent some days, and you will see Newton Moore's comment on the bill. (The General says:'He has done himself well.') ft came in after Ounnne had gone, or 1 would most certainly have made liim refund the amount for drinks and cigars; but T. am sending it to you, so you will understand we have treated the man uncommonly well. Unless T am mistaken, he will say nothing about his good treatment, but magnify any ill-treatment he could possibly imagine. . . ." Corio was won from Mr Ozanne at the last election by Sergeant Lister, a returned soldier.