COMMANDEERING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8761, 27 February 1900, Page 3

COMMANDEERING.

The attitude of the regimental authorities on the question of looting deserted farm-houses was not at first quite clear, and had rather a leaning in favor of it, but when attention was directed to the growth of the practice measures were taken to stop it. Strictly, commandeering is the Boer method of getting supplies by taking them without paying for them, as the property is requisitioned for the purposes of Government, and the receipt arid voucher given in due form are considered an empty pretence. From commandeering in this manner it is but a slip to taking supplies without any receipt, and then the purposes of the State become blended witli the requirements of the individual, who does not, and never intended to, pay. When you commandeer a thing j'ou take something belonging to someone else without his consent, without paying for it, bu you do not steal it. Or if you see any thing you want lying about, and its owuer is absent, you would not think to steal it, but you commandeer it with a light conscience. When the Australians return home the word "commandeer" will be engrafted on the popular language. It is fine to be able to take other people's things without stealing them. — Correspondent Sydney Telegraph.