Captain ‘Broke Regulations’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31006, 11 March 1966, Page 3

Captain ‘Broke Regulations’

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, March 10.

Captain G. M. Connor had no right to make statements such as he had made, and he had been asked to give good reason why he should not be disciplined, the Adjutant-General (Brigadier A. H. Andrews) said today.

Captain Connor, invalided home with back injuries after eight months with the 161st Field Battery in Vietnam, said yesterday that the New Zealand gunners’ 18month tour of duty in Vietnam was far too long because of the climate and constant strain. It was longer than that of any other allied soldiers there.

“Other soldiers go home after 12 months and even that time may be reduced,” he said.

Today, Brigadier Andrews said it was laid down in the regulations that only an officer authorised by the Army Board could give his views on military subjects or Government policy connected with the armed services.

“He has very definitely broken the regulations, and I have asked him for an explanation,” he said. The length of service—as Captain Connor knew—had been under consideration for some time, but no firm decision had been made, he said. The men had been told when they went away that the term would be 10 months for married men and 18 to 21 months for single men. Some of the married men had already returned to New Zealand. “We don’t intend to turn

the battery over in one fell swoop—we would lose efficiency. The men will be replaced gradually, but no one will stay longer than their term.

“I would confidently expect that the 21-month period would be reduced,” said Brigadier Andrews. “To what degree it will be reduced it is hard to say, but it will be the aim of Army headquarters to reduce the service overseas for single men aS much as possible.”