OFFICER COURT MARSHALLED

West Coast Times, 13 June 1912, Page 1

OFFICER COURT MARSHALLED

RESENTS BEING TRANSFERRED

f PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] AUCKLAND, June 11.

The military court inquired into the matter of discipline in No. 7 Company garrison artillery and investigated the reason why only two officers and one gunner out of 111 attended the King’s birthday parade. Major Braithwaite presided. Lieut. Parker, lately in charge of tho company, attended. The President explained that the inquiry was not into Lieut. Parker’s honour and character, but as to his command of the Company. Col. Hazard, commanding the division, stated that discipline in the company was bad and ho accordingly transferred Lieut. Parker to another Company. Thereupon an article appeared in the “ Star ” that the Company was going to strike. The members of. the Company evidenced that up till tho time of Lieutenant Parker’s transfer the discipline was excellent. It was only when Lieutenant Parker with fourteen years experience, was removed and was replaced by a junior with only twelve months’ service that tho men decided to show resentment, refusing to parade. Lieut. Parker said that when saying good-bye to the Company he had read the district order and told the men to play the game. He felt the transfer so keenly that ho decided to resign his command.

Tire Court submitted the evidence to headquarters.