STRONG CRITICISM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12063, 18 July 1917, Page 4

STRONG CRITICISM.

DEFENCE OFFICERS ASSAfLKTX

A MEMBER'S COMPLAINT.

[From Ocb Cobeesfondent.]

.WELLINGTON, July !?•

Tho member for Mataura was outspoken in the course of his speech vx tho Address-in-R-eply debate to-day, in his criticism of some officers in tho Defence Department. "I give," he said, "every credit to the Minister of Defence for his work in big tilings, but he is too good to his o\vn officers. I know of men in his Department who are- betraving him every day." Mr "Wilforcl: I think this is the only country in which we don't change them.

Mr Anderson: I give tho Minister credit for his loyalty, bur, ho is too good to them. .1 do plead with the, Minister to get down among his officers and find out who are the men he c a n trust;, and shoot ihe others out. The member went on to quote an instance that occurred recently in which, as the result of an order to serve some official purpose district medical officers passed it a. number of men, and the sequel was that in one morning three hundred men were turned out of Trent-ham as medically unfit. lie said that these men, who all wero servo if genuinely passed, had been put to considerable inconvenience and expense in going into camp. Mr Anderson added; /; Unless this sort of thing is stopped there is going to bo a £pod deal of trouble in this country. Let the men bo,.examined properly before they go into camp, so that when they get there they will stay there. More pains should bo taken by these head officers."

Sir James Allen: It is nothing to do with head officers of mine. It is the Medical Board.

Mr Anderson: Well, I do not wanti you to quibble. I want you to make inquiries.

Sir James Alien: It has been inquired into dozens of times. We followed the British standard, and two or three months ago we raised our standard above the British.

Mr Anderson : Well this is a matte? of common-sense, not standards. (Hear hear.)