TAKAPAU CAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15613, 20 May 1914, Page 10

TAKAPAU CAMP.

CHAPLAIN'S CRITICISM.

SUBJECT TO MILITARY LAW,

MOVE BY AUTHORITIES.

[BY TELEGIUJ'H.— ASSOCIATION]

Palmebston North, Tuesday. The criticism levelled against the Takapau camp arrangements by the Rev. p, W. Boys, of Palmerston North, chaplain to the Forces,, has led to him receiving the following letter from Defence headquarters :—" With reference to the report appearing, under your name in the- ilanawatu Evening Standard, dated May, 1914 will you inform me if you have been correctly reported. If this statement is cor-. rect, please explain your action in publish. ing, through the medium of the press, criticisms which cannot be regarded but as subversive of discipline on matters connected with die conduct of officers and others at- the camp held at Takapiu. Your attention is' directed to the fact that officers in time of peace are subject to military law, as laid down in Section 15 of the Defence Amendment Act, 1912, 35 well as the provisions of 1913, from which the following is an extract (Par. 207) :- ' Any officer of the Defence Forces proved to h'avo written, or to have instigated any communication to a newspaper on matters connected with the Defence Forces, or any portion thereof, or calling in qne3tion, or reflecting upon any action of tta Defence Department, or any act of any superior officer, is guilty of insubordination, and is liable to be dealt with accordingly.' An early reply is requested, (Sd") H. R. Potter (Major, N.Z.S.C. Brigade; Major, Wellington Infantry Bri. gade.)" Mr. Boys has replied that the report in question is quite correct.