MR GUNSON'S COMPLAINTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 617, 1 February 1916, Page 9

MR GUNSON'S COMPLAINTS.

j CAN HE VERIFY THEM? HON. J. ALLEN'S RETORT COURTEOUS. Pvei* Association. DUNEDIN, January 31. Interviewed on the subject of the j Mayor of Auckland's criticism of the (Defence Department, the Hon. Jas. iAllen said:—"Unless he can bring forward specific instances it is not (possible for us to answer his statements. The Defence Department is only 100 pleased lo have reported 'any legitimate complaints, but they must be specific, so that we may [enquire into them, and they will be (rectified if they are legitimate. The Defence Department is also anxious that Mayors and leading members of I Ihe community, and those connected Willi Patriotic Societies, should sill as lar as they can locally any com- [ plaints to ascertain how far they are |on solid foundation. Mayors who (do this for the department are rendering service to Ihe bulk of the soldiers who have returned, to the Defence Department, and to the j community generally. i "Mr Gunsou made some complaints some time ago about Trentham. I then invited him to Trentbam lo come and see for himself how matters stood, but I regret that ihe refused my invitation. I now inivite him to come to Wellington and thoroughly examine the Records j Planch and Pay Branch, and any I other branch he liites. I will not Ipioi use him that he will find everything working in perfect order, but J wiil promise him a revelation which, will be of value to him in his ftilir.c general criticisms. At any rale, he will haw an opportunity of seeing whether the Defence Dcpartmcnl is good work, or Whether it is neglecting its duty to ! returned soldiers, who are just as much the care of the Defence Department, and more the care of the Defence Department, than they are of Mr Gunson, Mayor of Auckland." ; .