ORDERED INTO CAMP.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13975, 10 September 1917, Page 8

ORDERED INTO CAMP.

TWO SIDES OF A STORY. ' WELLINGTON, September U A question \\as put to tlio Defence M nistci to day by Di Tlinelter which incidentally piovoked sonic merriment among liieinbeis. Di Tliackei explained that it had come to Ins knowledge that a man m the L'2 class, who had sovoinl times volimtccieil to go away ami had been turned down, yet had been summarily auested last week and taken into ("amp "What,-' asked Dr Thacker, "mil the Minister do to protect the public against grievous injuries in the wav of these summary anvsts?"

Sir James Allen: I will answer the lion, member if he will give me the

name. Df Thacker: I am asking the ques: tion 'in a general sense. Sir James Allen: Well, I am asking for the name. : Dr Thacker (after an silen'ec): You can get the name all ■right. Sir. James Allen: Is that name Gavin? Dr Thacker: The Defence Minister lias corrected mc on many occasions for individualism, sir. In future I don't individualise. Sir James Allen again asked if the man's name was Gavin. Dr Thacker'remained silent, whereupon the Prime Minister .remarked: "The name is not 'Given,' anyway." (Laughter.) Sir James Allen then explained that the member privately and quite properly—(renewed laughter)—saw him and said there was a very bail case in which it appeared the Defence Department had arrested a man with a wife and child, ami taken him into camp very improperly. "No," added Sir "''James," 1 ' 1 that is the story, and these'arc I 'the fact's. This man enlisted twice and was'turned down as.meilically imfiSWn Palmevstoir North. ■ He. was .'desperately keen to get' away, 'however, .and came to Wellington, where I lie Medical Board passed him as lit. ■■ He was asked if lip, had "volunteered before, and his answer was 'No,' He was ordered into camp. He did not obey the order, and tlio police in Wellington were instructed to search for him and bring him into camp. They found him in Palnicrston North and took him into cam]), Mr Lee: Another knock-out, (Loud laughter.)