THE NATIONAL RESERVE

NZ Truth, Issue 509, 20 March 1915, Page 9

THE NATIONAL RESERVE

Bucking Against Black Who Put Him m Charge ? I In Auckland as elsewhere, the National Reserve gives prominence of becoming a big thing I—that1 — that is while the war lasts — and the middle-aged cKlzen imbued with* patriotic zeal, frothing for fight, und cursing or congratulating i himself on the fact that the military authorities arc rigidly applying the age. limit, does not mind In the least turning out for church parade, and when muskets and other warlike equipment are provided, not to, mention A GIDDY UNIFORM, he should form an imposing sight as ho and his comrades line up, and await the order to charge,' or whatever their officers think best for them. However, it is not "Truth's" intention to ridicule the movement. It has become a populur movement, has appealed to all classes In all stations of life, and this paper has no doubt whatever that if ever the necessity should arise, remote, as it might seem, that if our country Is attacked by an Invader, the National Reserve will do Its duty. However, In connection with the formation of ono branch of the National Reserve m Auckland, the Garrison Artillery company, it occurs to "Truth" that a lock of -tact has been shown by someone In authority m placing m charge of a Kqund onr» individual who Ijam oarnod .tome sort of fami\ and is Wot particularly palatable to a lorgr section of thr community. "Truth" noiKl hardly remark that mombprn of this company of tho RpBorve, or a squad of It, did not relish, and are not relishing, the Idea of being placed m tho charge of no less an individual than one William Plerropont IJlnck, who i* by birth h Roumanian, nnd whoso proper name "Truth" boMoves is N>gn*Ml, or Mome ««ch nnm*». Wlwn w recollect that -thin. Individual is alleged to bo the author of th«j Ward pamphlet, which certainly created a

sensation, but also brought into disrepute the alleged author and publisher of the pamphlet, it might very well be urged tha* the connection, real or otherwise, of Bluck with that publication, while it might not bar him from being a membor of the National Reserve, should at least suffice to provent him being placed m charge of men' who know Black and all about him. and who. while willing to make any sacrifice to serve their country, nro placed In a quandary when they Jlnd Black over them. It is represented to "Truth" that the fact that Rlack was placed m charge of a squad has led tv unpleasantness and ' MIGHT LEAD TO WORSE, and "Truth" thinks that those who are m tho position of appointing officers should consider this matter. Anyhow, despite tho fact that Black, or Negressl. Ik h naturalised Hrltlsh subject, this paper thinks tout ofllcorH, temporary or permanent, should ho appointed who ar« Hrltlshonj by birth. "Truth" haH nothing against Black, because ho is ft Roumanian, but the? fact that ho Is not British born should appeal to thoso whoso duty it is to select men for rank. "Truth" again wlshcK to Buy that tho matter l>us been brought under Itu notice In order that publicity should bo given to the position. It seems that then; hnM boon v lurk of tnot somewhere, mill thin bint should not ho lost, otherwise th« f»;irrl«oh c/ompany might become iin unpopular branch of tho National Reaerve.