VOLUNTEER SCANDALS.
THE RECENT PROCEEDINGS.
DISSACT]JON OF THE GOVERN-
MENT.
VIGOROUS MEASURES CONTEM-
PLATED.
[BY'TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. I have reason to know that the Defence Department is very dissatisfied with the outcome of the proceedings instituted against the volunteers concerned in the disorderly conduct exhibited by certain corps at Mercer. No blame, so far as I have been able to ascertain, is imputed to the Civil authorities, who had charge of tho investigations, or to the Resident Magistrate who adjudicated upon the evidence brought before him ; but it is the opinion of the authorities to whom the conduct of the volunteers at Mercer has been referred that some action on tJio part of the Govornmont is necessary unless the members of the corps implicated shall vindicate their own claim to respect by some action on their part against their disorderly comrades. The rumour is very prevalent here that a decision has been arrived at which will furnish a warning for the future, and make an example of those who have-escaped punishment for their misdoing's. The corps that was mentioned to me as more especially engaging the attention of the authorities here is the Waitemata Navals. I have made inquiry on the subject, and find that the rumour is well founded, and that some strong measures are likely to be adopted, seeing that the offences against discipline may escape punishment, and elude Court, jurisdiction altogether. I believe there is behind this view of the matter a strong recommendation by a very high authority to insist upon good order and discipline in volunteer corps—the primary condition of their existence. I do not wish to be a prophet of evil, but I think. I am in a position to state that, unless the companies implicated in this disgraceful conduct at Mercer shall take some steps to be rid of those who are likely to bring volunteering into contempt of the general public, they will be disbanded.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9377, 29 May 1889, Page 5
Word Count
325VOLUNTEER SCANDALS. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9377, 29 May 1889, Page 5
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