THE TAKAPAU CAMP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8736, 19 May 1914, Page 6

THE TAKAPAU CAMP

To the Editor “N.Z. Times.” Sir,—All the world knows now of the fracas at the Takapau camp, and as a Territorial at the camp 1 should' just like to point out that the Minister for Defence may hold himself a little to blame for the disturbance. Of course, the Sunday night’s affair was disgraceful, but anywhere and everywhere man is ruled by emotions, and weather such as was experienced by the troops would make a man grumble with his own shadowBut, besides the weaither which the gods dealt out to us, there was grievances, and the principal one was the extra days' pay. In an interview the other day, Mr Allen said the question of pay for the extra days was brought under his notice about a fortnight before the camp, _ and he believed that the question had been finally settled some .day s before camp. Mr Allen also stated that as the question was settled it could not have formed one of the grievances. Just so, Mr Allen, put the blame on to the cooks or Jupuer Pluvius if you wish, but the question remains: How was it that Colonel Chaytor was unable to make any announcement regarding payment for the extra days? If the matter had been settled.who, if not Colonel Chaytor, should have been the first to know, and the “Terry’ after him. They wore the most concerned. Another point which shows'that the authorities did not know was that just prior to that memorable and Bloodless Sunday the acquittance rolls were signed for nine days’ pay only, not eleven. Blame the officers, why? What could they do? Ninety per cent, did their best for the men. Had Mr Allen played off his own bat and shown initiative he would have won out. The two days’ pay amounted to very little, certainly, but four “Roberts” a day cannot be thrown away by men who at home earn their 10s and have dependents. Mr Allen says there will have to ,be a conference next year between the railway authorities and defence. Yes. yes. Mr Allen, but why didn't you think of that before? The damage is done. Mr Allen does not know that plain clothes were not allowed in camp. Well the Regiment to which-I have the honour to belong were instructed, per post card, what to bring, and it plainly stated that no plain clothes would be allowed. What a motley crew would have greeted visitors on Sunday or any other day if plain clothes were allowed, and I will venture that had the question not cropped up, Mr Allen would have felt justified in saying that plain clothes should not be tolerated. Everyone regrets the incident, and none more than the “Terrys.” Even had’ tarings been arranged it will take a long tinre—if ever it does—to shake the conviction that the mob rule carried the day. There will always be the tendency to do so again.—X am. etc.. COMMON GARDEN TERRY. Stratford, May 16th.