"DUCKING" A REPORTER

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1732, 24 April 1913, Page 7

"DUCKING" A REPORTER

OTAGO INCIDENT.

INSTIGATION BY OFFICERS ALLEGED It is understood that proceeding's ivt/l bo taken in Court shortly in respect to tho "ducking?' of an "Olago Daily Times" reporter at tho recent infantry camp at Sutton. 1 llioDnnffdm/'Evcninfj Star" of Monday contained tho following: letter on the Sti • I 'l l a , col ' res Poudcnt signing himself Fairplny • ''With respect to a paragraph in your oaturday night's issue that a reporter had incurred tho displeasure of those in* charge oi tlio Territorial camp, and as a result had to suffer tho indignity of being 'duclci V l ,, crTO ' ! > I ™ give ato understand that tlio following is a true mid correct account of tlio incident. Tho officers alono were losiransiblo, tlio men themselves expressing indignation at llio cowardly assault mada upon one wlio was carrying out his duties to tlio best of hia ability. "It appears that tlio officers, being annoyed at tho criticism of their efficiency, advised the men in thoir charge that l'f they would jiull tho reporter's lent down and duck him in tho creek they (tlio ■ officers) would tako no nolico of tlio action. Tho men, to their credit Ixs it said, wcro not cowardly enough to attack a defenceless oven acting under tho protection of their superior officers, but what tho men refused to do tho sergeants, in all some 12 or more, showed splendid courage, and carried out this bravo deed, those in authority allowing tho sergeants full liberty. Tlio captain of one company, ono who is supposed to set 1 an example to his men, applauded this' courageous assault, publicly stating that he would take all tho responsibility. "Now, sir, I contend that if tlio different companies aro to be officored by men of this description tlio sooner tlio Territorial schemo is wiped out of existonco tho better for all concerned." In its editorial columns of tho samo (late, tho "Star," in commenting on tlio incident, said:— "A section of tho infantry in camp at Sutton, said to consist mainly of officers, resenting tho criticism of their efficiency, seem to havo been associated with tho ducking in tlio creelc of a reporter of our morning contemporary on Saturday last. A letter published iu another column by ono who is apparently in a position to speak with a full knowledge of tho facts states that tlio men were told that if they took tlio law into their own linnds and pulled down tho journalist's ■ tout'their procedure would bo winked at, but they declined to bo parties to tlio suggested modo of dealing with tlio publication of j tlie unpalatable truth, and so others than ! those in tho rank and llio had porforco to adt. .What was done is an insult to tho journalistic profession of the Dotuiiiioji, .'and wo feel suro that tho nmttor will not be allowed to rest_ where it is. More than a more apology is called for. Wo havo been, and still claim to bo. staunch supporters of tho Territorial 'movement, but we cannot deplore too strongly such incidents as that undor re- . view, and tlio conduct of a number of men connected with tho Oringi camp. Tho authorities must take tho fullest cognisance of both tlicso matters, and soo tlmt proper punishment is reeled out if they want the public to stand.by and foster tlio military movement."