A LAPSE OF MEMORY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 895, 15 August 1910, Page 6

A LAPSE OF MEMORY.

CAPTAIN SEDDON AND "THE DOMINION." The following statement appeared in tho course of an interview with Captain Seddon, published by our morning contemporary :— "On a previous occasion, I was asked by a reporter belonging to this same paper (Tun Dominion) whether I had been granted this appointment (Adjutant and Quarter-Master-General), and although I distinctly stated that the rumour ' was incorrect, yet the matter wa'< , published as authentic." How inaccurate tho statement is can bo judged from the paragraph referred to, which wo reproduce below from our issue of June 2:— "Important Military Office. "A Locum Tenens. "Captain It. J. S. Seddon, previously staff-officer to Colonel H. D. Tuson, whose term of engagement as Adjutant and QuartermaslerGeneral of the Forces nominally expired recently, will, it is undorstood, carry on the duties of his late chief, until Colonel Tuson's appointment becomes yacant—officially vacant. He is now en route to England. In consequence of the recent re-arrangement of the duties scheduled for each member of the General Staff, the responsibilities of the Adjutant and QuartermasterGeneral have been curtailed to some extent. He is not now a member of the Council of Defence." It will be seen that we distinctly stated that Captain Seddon was merely acting as locum tenens —that he was merely carrying on the duties until Colonel Tuson's appointment became officially vacant. That that statement was correct oan be seen from the following! confirmation from Captain Seddon's own lips, published as recently as Friday last, in the interview before referred to: "It is true, and it is well known to most of those connected with the Defence Forces, that I have carried on the administrative and business work, which comprises the duties of the Adjutant and Quartermaster General for now very nearly. six - months, without any extra remuneration. Indeed, during the past three years I have frequently acted as Adjutant and Quarter-master-General in the absence of Colonel Tuson, and to his entire satisfaction. Captain Seddon's lhemory has played him a, sorry trick in this matter.'