A CASE FOR INQUIRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19810, 29 November 1919, Page 12

A CASE FOR INQUIRY.

to THIS XDITOB. Sir,—Would you kindly permit me, through tho columns of your paper, to draw attention to a matter touching the administration of tho Defence Department which, if correct, appeals to me as committing a gross injustice to one officer of the New Zealand Staff Corps ? Looking through the “ Gazettes” since my arrival back from France, I find l that No. 94, dated July 31, 1919, states that this officer had been granted the position of “ temporary ” Officer Oommcuri’ug • Southern district, and tne rank of "temporary” colonel whilst acting in that capacity. No. 125, dated October 23, 1919, states that two other returned officers, both junior to this one, have been granted the rank of “substantive” colonel, and each appointed to the command of a district, ono in the North Island and the other in the South, \\hat 1 should like to know is: Is this officer being penalised m any way for the attitude he took up when tendering his evidence before the Royal Commission on Defence Expenditure held recently, when he was commended by the judge for the honest and direct manner he acted in when appearing before the Commission ? or, is there any other reason why these other officers, both junior to him, should be given priority. regarding promotion P I think that all who believe in the freedom of speech of our public servants will be pleased to hear if tho Department has any explanation to offer, or if this is not a case of victimisation of a man whose high sense of dutv to the country and the people could ra-se himself above those of personal interest or gain when a matter of principle or policy was under consideration. What does our worthy member. Dr Thacker, think of the case?—l am, etc., AN INTERESTED RETURNED SOLDIER.