EXPENSIVE MILITARY BUNGLING.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13825, 21 July 1915, Page 3

EXPENSIVE MILITARY BUNGLING.

"GOOD, FIRM HAND WANTED.''

(From ouk own Correspondent.)

Wellington, Jiily 20

The expensive practice of bringing men back from leave onjy to send tne'n away from Treutham on further holiday seems to have grown to large proportions, despite the sceptical astonishment of the Minister of Defence, who, when questioned in the Bkrase of Representatives to-day, denied that it could possibly happen.

Mr Russell said he knew of two cases. A trooper left Christchureh on Thursday, arrived at the camp on Friday, and was sent home cgaiii. The same thing happened to another man next day; and a large number came up <>n last night's steamer merely to be to id that they were not wanted yet. Every man on leave should be allowed to remain until ho was notified that the authorities were ready to receive him in camp. The Minister of Defence: I cannot conceive that to be accurate. There is some misunderstanding. - Mr Russell • Do you doubt my word ? Th« Minister -. No; I doubt the inteiv protation put upon it. Mr Anderson: I know of one case.

Mr Jennings: There are two cases from Te Kuiti. ~^~

Mr Witty: And I have been spoken to about one case.

Tho Minister: If the men are not well they can go to the local medical officer. A" qiiest.ion was asked whether members could give names of men called back and then sent away again, and there were at once assurances by members that they could give the names of lots.

In bringing another complaint to the notice of the Minister of Defence regarding a mishap to the allotment letter oi a. deceased trooper's mother. Mr Russell remarked* "It looks to me as if a good, iirra hand is wanted somewhero in connection with some of tho staff officers." fHear, hear.)