CANARD AGAIN REFUTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16234, 20 May 1916, Page 8

CANARD AGAIN REFUTED.

SHORTENING OF FUSES.

STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY. [BT TELEGBAPH—SPECIAL COBBESPOSDEVr.I WixLrKGTOS, Friday. Opportunity was taken last evening by the Prime Minister to definitely refute the suggestion made by Mr. Anstey the other evening that some members of our forces on Gallipoli had been shot for disloyalty. " It is all very fine," Mr. Massey said, "to say that Mr. Anstey did not state it as a fact. A suggestion may be worse than a direct statement. I felt very strongly on this question, and I asked General Robin for a report on the subject. He says the fuses are set by one man and checked by a sergeant. In the event of a fuse being shortened without authority the battery commander would immediately notice the result of the fire, and investigation would immediately lead to the detection of any interference with the fuses. Reports are regularly received from the gunnery officers, and no mention of any such event has ever been made. It is incredible, if the facts are as stated, that no such mention should have been made."

"Members," said Mr. Massey, "should be carefuL Such statements as these are apt to create a wrong impression, and I think the hon. member should get up and say that his information is wrong." Mr. Anstey : My remark has had the effect of clearing the air.