A Military Distinction.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 20, Issue 16, 17 April 1920, Page 6

A Military Distinction.

A MAJOR'S PLAINT. An ex-Major, signing himself as such, writes to the Editor of the Christchurch ''Star" as follows: \ ,-' Last session it was decided that officers of the Expeditionary Force, not .doing active work with the Territorial Force, would sink the military ranks; they iliad gained "on active : service. As an. officer ofthat force, and one fortunate enough to serve throughout the campaign, I am quite in accordance with this ruling, *else the world would be flooded by official ranks. I have, however, a deep grievance in this connection, for, while willing to forego the use of my rank—which I won by fighting— D cannot see why certain officers who have never, heard a shot'fired, and only served in peaceful New Zealand or Samoa, should be known by their military ranks. - Why should I, for example, .be called Mr. X. while another man in Christchurch, whose whole military service has consisted of driving a motor car on two occasions and driving a quill pen for the rest of the war, is called maj or ? Apart from all other conit, is one, o ojf tjjose things "not/'done," and I therefore urge those " dud" officers to cease masquerading 'as officers and to be. contents withthe oblivion which satisfies those pf us who fought with the men whose records they kept. Let military ranks be confined to those serving in an active capacity with the Territorial and Cadet forces. If we wish to bear them again we" have only >to rejoin the forces for active work, so the reniedy is in our hands. J3ut New; Zealand, v cannot support the, continuance -of calling »people officers who would'find it difficult to A'form fours.",