SCANDALOUS TREATMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9075, 21 June 1915, Page 4

SCANDALOUS TREATMENT

The correspondence with the Defence Department that Cqptain Seddon has found himself called upon to publish leaves the Minister for Defence a great deal to explain. Since the beginning of the war, there has been a great deal of comment .because Captain Seddon had not gone to the front, seeing that he had been trained to military service at the expense of the country. Tina taunt has appeared in many “Reform” newspapers. It has been on every “Reform” tongue. Now we know why Captain Seddon has not gone. He was prepared to go. He was anxious to,go He offered his services. Rut the Minis ter for Defence, one of the leaders of the party that is responsible for the taunt, has evidently seen to it that Captain Seddon’s services' were nof availed of.' Other officers, who were comparative strangers in this country •have gone. Many appointments have been made to high commands, but Captain Seddon has not been appointed. In August last, immediately after the war commenced, he wrote to the Commandant stating that the country having trained him for military service, he was prepared to be enrolled in the expeditionary force if a suitable position could be found for him. To,that letter he received a reply to the effect that his name had been registered, and his application would receive every consideration when the appointments were made. That was the last that was heard of the application. Apparently, like some others it was shelved. It would be interesting to know why. is it possible that there is any political feeling in this matter? If the country has paid for Captain Seddon’s training, it is entitled to his services, and if he is prepared to go to the front who should deny him that right? Certainly not the Minister for Defence. It is well that Captain Seddon has made this explanation. Hie has become the object of Unfair comment when, as a matter of fact, he was entitled to honour for being one of the first to offer his services. If there is occasion for taunts, these should be levelled against a party that has ignored Captain Seddon’s application, and has employed its power to prevent him from serving his country on the field of battle.