DEFENCE PRINCIPLE D

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8187, 31 July 1912, Page 4

DEFENCE PRINCIPLE D

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times.") Sir,—The statement which appears in the "Times" of to-day's date re the matter as between General Godley and tha two officers under his command is a complete bogging of the whole question at issue. It certainly amounts to an ad; mission that a blunder has been committed at the defence headquarters, and must be explained away somehowNow, there is a most important principle at stake in what has been done, and which may be done again easily if this matter is not now properly adjusted. General Godley (from what he is reported to have stated) is not quito logical. It will be remembered that he went out of his way to belittle the junior cadets in general and their officers in particular. His reason.for doing so he said was because it was "bogus." The junior cadet officers were "bogus" because they had not passed a military' examination to qualify for thoir position as officers. Now, this same general tries to justify in the senior cadet movement what ho condemns in the junior cadet system, as he appoints an unqualified officer over a. qualified one. No doubt a mistake has been made by someone at headquarters. 1 fear the G.0.C." finds himself in a tight place as his remarks re junior cadets and their officers are most unfortunate to the position he now wishes to justify re the . Captain Frandi affair. But I think it is quite clear what his obvious duty is'in view of his own dictum.' I trust ■ justice will be done, and the services of a good and tried servant to the Dominion military movement retained and not lost.—l am, etc., "ONE WHO PAYS." Wellington, July SOth.