A MILITARY "IMPASSE."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1858, 18 September 1913, Page 8

A MILITARY "IMPASSE."

GAERISON OFFICERS AT- ODDS WITH HEADQUARTERS. ( 'A' situation somewhat' resembling '"■what in tho language of diplomacy would be described,as' an "impasse" has been .reached in connection with tho dispute botween the Wellington Garrison Officers', Club and District Headquarters in tho matter of determining what should constitute 'eligibility for membership in the club. Hitherto the members of the club, which in the beginning —some years ago—were officially approved by the Headquarters Staff, have provided that candidates for membership must be duly nominated, and, if necessary, ballotted for, the idea being that since tho club, as originally constituted, was a "social" club, the members thereof should "■ be privileged to select their company. Witlrthe institution of the new ' scheme of military training, howover, the Officers' Club, according to the view of the military authorities. should consider that the King's Commission should in itself be tho qualification for membership, and tliat.'jio. other distinction should bo drawn. This dictum was _ placed on Tccord on a certain comuaratively recent occasion, when a candidate for membership was "blackballed"—by 42 votes to 12, it is stated. As the mcotings of the club aro of an educational character—a syllabus of lectures being drafted for the winter sessions—the military authorities took the view, and insisted upon it, that anv Territorial officer or _ senior cadet officer desiring to avail him-, self of the club privileges should, as an officer, be free to do so, and conveyed to the club their fiat that if its members could not see their way to snbse'ribo to that view the club, as constituted, could not- he allowed to occupy its present rmarters in the Garrison Hnll. Tlie'club, jealous of its rights, preferred, rather to vacate its 'quarters than surrender its rights, and, prepared to vacate. -. . •

Then arose a question of proprietorBliin as to the furniture. Headquarters insisted that some, if not all, of the furniture was the',property of tlin Defence Department,- a ruling which the club contested, and ultimately, it, is understood, the Crown" Law..Officor defined the question of proprietorship in favour of the club. ,Thero at present the matter rests. •jSpthing further has been head from Headquarters. ... ... ~ , It is nointed out, m justification of the club's Stand in regard to its richt of ballot for membership, that the NonCommissioned- Officers' Club lias been granted that very same right, subject to the provision that before a candidate is finally rejected, tho facts of the enso iir.ust Bo submitted to Headquarters for 'review. '