COLONEL HEARD AND MR J. ROBERTSON, M.P.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14829, 21 November 1913, Page 10

COLONEL HEARD AND MR J. ROBERTSON, M.P.

COMMANDANT CALLS FOR a.y

APOLOGY.

Colone] E. S. Heard, Commandant of tho New Zealand Forces, writes to the Wellington "Post" :—

Sir,—l notice in your issue of the loth inst,- that Mr J. Itobertson, the hon. member for Otaki, returns to tho charge, and still maintains, in the face of- my flat denial that I ever gave any orders to special constables, I interfered in the discussion toe .was .holding with a squad of special constables on the wharf. 'He states definitely as a fact that I came up behind the squad and said: ''No one is to be allowed to pass unless ho produces a pass signed this morning," or words to that effect.

It is,usual amongst responsible people when they make serious allegations against others, ■especially against one who holds a position of great responsibility as I do as Commandant for the time being of the Military j< orces of the Dominion, to carefully verify their alleged facts before publishing, them, whether in tho House or in the Press.

Mr Robertson has offended in this respect in not first of ail verifying my identity. Whoever tfie individual was who interfered in his altercation with tho squad of special constables and used the words he alleges, quoted above, I most emphatically state that it was not I. Any of the squad of special constables concerned who Know mc will bear mc but in this.

Mr Robertson is an honourable member in an honourable Assembly; he has done mc an injustice, not, I hope, intentionally, but at any rate, carelessly. I therefore call on Mr Robertson to do what any other honourable man would do," namely, to satisfy himself as to my identity; and when'Kβ' finds he" has made a mistake, which ho will, apolocis'e to mc personally: , and acknowledge his mistake in the House and in Che Press. If he refuses , -to do this, J will leave it to the hon. members Sf the House and public to judge between him and mc.