NATIONAL RESERVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16675, 22 April 1916, Page 10

NATIONAL RESERVE

FRICTION IN WELLINGTON. (F2OJI ,ODB OWU COBBKSPONDENT.) WELLINGTON, April 20. The National Receive has got itself into a rare muddle in Wellington, and presumably the same difficulties will arise, if they have not already arisen; elsewhere. The reserve was formed as a military body with a very imperfect quasi-military organisation, but as a fighting force it has always been absolutely impossible. Thero is work which it might do if it wero a little less military and more useful, but as it is at present it is quite impotent. Regulations and rules havo been gazetted, but apparently these tako too much for granted, because nobody, least of all the commandant, seems to know exactly what is the effect of them. AH tho difficulties, however, resolve themselves into one—that of extreme dissatisfaction of \init commanders, and the ran'k and file with the heads. Colonel Porter and his chief support (Major Davis) regard themselves as in a similar position with relation to tho National Reserve as General Robin and his chief of staff bear to the Territorials. They insist that tho National Reserve is a military body, and regard_ as something akin to impertinence ot insubordination any attempt by junior officers or members to review their actions. The commandant insists that men elected as officers must be approved by him, and also that tho commandant and his "staff" are not to be elected by anybody. This constitution is far too undemocratic to meet with approval. Many members, including unit commanders, are profoundly dissatisfied. An attempt made last nigM to elect a district commander failed. The meeting was for officers commanding units, and four unit commanders attended, as also did. tho acting district commander and two At onco the unit commanders objected to the presence of tho other officers on the staff side, but tho acting commander (Major Davis) refused to put a motion that they should withdraw. Three of the unit commanders then loft, and no election, resulted. This is typical of the tangle into which the affairs of tho reserve have got. Under the present method of control the National Reserve in Wellington will die very quickly.