CAPTAIN KNYVETT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7027, 15 January 1910, Page 7

CAPTAIN KNYVETT

PROTEST AGAINST HIS DISMISSAL. INDIGNATION MEETING JN AUCKLAND. I'UEBS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, January 14. Tho Federal Hall contained upwards of ono thousand people (besides which there were several hundreds outside who were unable to obtain admission), ■to-night, when an indignation meeting was held in .connection with the dismissal from the volunteer service of Captain Knyvett. Mr C. J. Parr presided. Tho proceedings were of an enthusiastic nature, and the speeches were, freely punctuated with applause.

The chairman said a gross injustice liad been done to a most efficient officer, and it would appear that all was not well at headquarters in Wellington. (Loud applause.) On his mention of the name of Colonel- Robin there was a chorus of '• Boohs!" and ciies of "Put hini out!" It was wrong.to suppose, said Mr Parr, that tin oliicer could not make complaints of his superior oliicer. The regulations permitted it, provided such complaint wont through the proper channel. Captain Knyvett's complaint was in proper form, went through tho proper channel, and was in his (Mr Parr's) opinion, in order. The charge made, against Colonel Robin remained to-day unanswered either by tho Chief... of Staff or the Government. Tho public "had a right to know who had inspired tho whole business. (A voice :•" Joey Ward.'") He did not think so. Ho thought they must look to officer mentioned (Colonel Robin). Was our national defence, our new-born compulsory training scheme, to 1 bo imperilled by official interference and incompetence? He moved—

That this meeting of citizens of Auckland expresses its indignation at the unjust sentence passed upon Captain'!?. B. Knyvott r ;lit spite of tho fact that a Court_ of Inquiry, after fully investigating the charges made against,him, expressed themselves as 'satisfied, and practically acquitted him; and this meeting is further of opinion that tho whole mcttcr should be re-opened and a Royal Commission be held concerning the conduct of the head of the Defence Council and the general administration of this department; and that pending such inquiry the' notice- dismissing Captain. Knyvett be withdrawn.

Mr G. L. Peacock, who, seconded,-.the-resolution (which was received with. prolonged applause), said the people of New Zealand oould tolerate blunders due to honest stupidity, but not what he might call vindictive blunders. The sonso of justice and fair play had been absent in this matter. The chairman read , : telegrams _ of sympathy with the movement J-'rom Messrs A. J. Greenslade and T. M. Wilford, M.P.'s, A. -J. Entnoanr -and n number of citizens. Ala- "ft word ot4'orad to introduce a deputation to the. Minister for Defence in the effort to Urove that someone had blundered. Mr 0. H. Poole, M.P., in supporting the motion, said ho was not-pre-eoiit to watoh the .proceedings. 40 Was there in defence " of- Captain Knyvett. (Loud applause). lhey were not -gains", to- 1 ' allow,him to be "e-ioouted" -without entering a protest He was in -full sympathy wxtli ill© resolution and hopod it would result in the re-instatement of a man wflio had been-done a grave'injustice. Mr A. E. Glov.or. M.P., said Captain -Knwett might have oommitted *. -little "military delinquency, "but a £ne would Wave met tho ends of..juv tioe. If an inquiry was not held before next session lie was not afraid wf a Prime Minister or anyono else, and would see justice done if portoverance would do it. MB' MASSEY'S OPINTON. J Mr W. F. Massey, M.P., was greeted on rising with prolonged applause and JUhree cheers. He said iie was not present as leader of the Opposition nor as M.P. for Franklin, -but as a tiitizen of the iDomioion, to protest against an injustice that 'had been done, and to assist in having it remedied. .On that --.platform. .. aind jn, that .ball all shades of political opinion were represented. - He was not •there to-mob© party'capital' pivt of tho affair. (Applause). They had a case whioh oalloii for publio support and assistance. Judging by the enormous attendance present (a voice: And outside) that support and' assistance would he ■forthcoming. (Renewed applause). Captain Knyvett was one of our most valued volunteer • officers. His record was one that any man might be proud , • .of. {Applause). He did not refer to, what he had done in this country, but to what he had done in South Africa. 1 (Loud applause). Captain .KnyVett had lifted his company from, what appeared to bo its last legs to one of the strongest and most efficient companies in the country. What was his reward? Ho had been disgraced as far as he oould he by the department. Was.it not a fact that Captain Knyvett's let-; ter of complaint was sent through the proper channel? What followed? A' Court of Inquiry was set up. (A voice: "A fake"). Yes, not a court that would appeal.to tho public or to him; not a court-martial that would' appeal to military men.' He did ;not know what to calL.it, -hut'! in any oasothat body was jn favour ■ :■■• of-■• Captain Knyvett. Who, then, passed sentence? (A voice: "Joe Ward").: He did not profess to know, but tho people wanted. to know who dismissed -Captain; Knyvett. ' Tho "remedy for what.-had: taken place was set .forth in the'regulations—to appoint a Boyal Commission. Tliis Commission should consist of capable and experienced men in whom the country would have confidence. If they could not havo Judges of the Supremo Court they should havo Stipen diary Ma gist rates, And there was one man of all ''others _ he would like to see oa the Commission, and that •was Mr.-Northoroft, ' S-M. (Loud applause). \ Captain Knyvett and his friends wore.,he understood, ready to abide by the decision of a Uoyal Commission*. I regret exceedingly what has taken place, _ because last session Parliament passed the-Defence" Act, providing foruniversal military training, the proper., enctouragomraib of volunteering,, and the, placing of. the Dominion in a --.position ; . to'defend. ,ilj-| self. But if that system is -to bo effective. we must have very different administration to the present. Ojoud applause}."' In or out <of -the House, as* a. private citizen or as'nmember of Parliament. I always stand for justice, and" in this connection I

stand for a Royal Commission. (Prolonged applause and cheers). The resolution was then unanimously carried by acclamation. I PKPITATION APPOINTED. I Mr W. B. H:icke ( tt moved— J -That iiris desirable that a dei puuition of four citizens bo appointed to proceed to Wellington ■ r.) l;sy the whole matter before the Defence •Minister and request him to place the facts before Cabinet iviih a view of carrying out the- resolution pasted at this meeting, and that the following gentlemen represent th's meeting-.—Mr J. S. Dickson, -Mr 0. Nicholson.' Mr Gerald Peaeocke. and Mr W. B. Ley] and. .'■'■:■ .'."Mr F. Lawry, M.P., seconded the resolution .and speakers in its support wore the Rev. Canon MacMurrSy l and Dt Stopford. Tho motion was enthusiastically, carried. '■"■".