MR P. C. WEBB, M. P.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16159, 13 March 1918, Page 6

MR P. C. WEBB, M. P.

REFUSES TO OBEY ORDERS IN TRENTHAM CAMP. TO BE COURT-MAItTIALLED. (press association telegram.) ELLINGTON, March 12. Mr P. Webb, M.P. for Grey, who is in Trcnthani Camp, refused to don a uniform. lie will be court-martialled in due course, REASONABLE OFFER OF THE MINISTER. (SPECIAL TO n THE PRESS.") -kLLIXG'I OX, March 12. The news that Mr P. C. Webb. M.P., has refused to obey the commands of military officers at tho camp lias caused uo surprise to tho authorities; on I the contrary it is exactly what was j expected. Mr Webb wrote a letter to the Min- | is tor of Defence, iu which he declared his intention of disobeying; tho injunction of the Military Service Board to proceed to camp. This letter is published in the current week's issue of the "Maoriland Worker." On receipt oi the letter, Sir James Allen got into touch with Mr Webb, and had an interview with him. The Minister asked Mr V. ebb to go iuto camp, and offered to meet him in anv reasonable demands he might make. Ihe Minister offered, for instance, to allow Mr Webb to go into the Medical Corps, if he should have conscientious scruples against combatant service, and lie also offered to arrange to give hint any reasonable leave to attend the next session of Parliament. Mr Webb at length promised to go into camp, but made 110 promiso that lie would obey orders when he got there. It was no very heroic decision on his part to go into camp, because ho would assuredly havo had to go there if ho hnd remained obdurate. Ho ■was in Wellington under the i>yc of the authorities, and if ho had persisted in his attitude of defiance of the order to proceed to oainn he would have been arrested and taken there. Mr Webb was not at all truculent or in any way offensive in h's demeanour at camp. Ho. was quite polite and self-nossosscd. He is now in "clink" at Trcnthani, apparently resigned to let events take their course.