CANTEEN CASES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10979, 19 January 1914, Page 5

CANTEEN CASES.

OFFICERS BRIBED

TO SECURE CONTRACTS.

HOW IT WAS WOSKED.

By Telogrnph—Prcsa Association —Copyright. LONDON, January 17.

In the can toon summonses six quartermasters, two sergeants-major and eight civilians are. charged that in Fobniary, 1903, and on other occasions they conspired that money should corruptly bo given.

Mr Muir, who appeared for tho prosecution, outlined the canteen charges. He said that keen rivalry existed between different fi/ms to secure contracts for which a rental of £l7 to £2O monthly was paid to supply messes of a hundred men. The duty of making complaints as to tho quality of provisions rested with quartermaster sorgcantsmajor, henco a system of organised persistent bribery was initiated by tho conductors of Lipton's military canteens. The chief witness would be Sauyer, a former employee of Lipton's, who was instructed by Minto, formerly head of Lipton's military department, in 1903, to secure the influence of non-commissioned officers as cheaply as possiblo. The canteen business grow rapidly under "Sauyer, who later on was personally entrusted with payments, making it plain that tho heads of the firm desired to conceal their responsibility and were prepared to repudiate their subordinate if anything should be revealed. In self-protection the subordinates obtained written authority. When Sauyer wanted bribes lie had to go to Minto and Causfield, the general manager.

Many letters were read detailing payments to quarter-masters. Sauyer, in a letter, stated that Quartermaster Armstrong clamoured for £SO to secure the contract for Jie first battalion at Aldershot. Sauyer -recommended £2O-

Pegley, inspector of the Colchester branch, wrote to the company saying that four sergeants-major had made up their minds t,o stop at nothing to get fresh contractors unices they were well paid. ' The hearing was adjourned.

The following official announcement was made by the "War Office in November last:—

As the result of the special investigation which has been conducted recently, with 'a view to testing the accuracy of allegations made in various quarters as to the of a system of bribery and corruption in regard to tho conduct of canteens in the Army, information has been laid before the Army Council, in consequence of which the Council liave given orders, in the first instance, for tne convening of a general Court-martial,'before which charges will be preferred against the following:— Hon Major and Quartermaster F. Walker, Guards' Depot. Hon Captain and Quartermaster J. Fowles, Ist Battalion Irish Guards. Hon Lieutenant' and Quartermaster G. R. Burton, 4th Hussars. Hon Lieutenant and Quartermaster T. Potter, 3rd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Hon Lieutenant and Quartermaster W. J. Armstrong, Ist Battalion Norfolk Regiment.