MILITARY RIOT IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2168, 5 June 1914, Page 7

MILITARY RIOT IN AUSTRALIA

REPORT OF COURT OF INQUIRY ILL-RECEIVED OFFICERS INDIGNANT By T«leerapli— Vteu Afrincialion-Copyrtelil Sydney, June 4. Indignation has .been aroused in military circles by tho action taken by tho Military Board on tho report of tho Court of Inquiry into tho Liverpool TcrritoriaJ camp riot in December last, and its decision to call upon prominent oflicers to show cause why they should not bp retired or,otherwise deait with. It is stated that if similar methods of administration aro continued oflicers may resign their commissions. Ono officer says that tho circumstances contain all the elements of an Australian Dreyfus case —secret reports and punishment without trial. The report of the Committee of Inquiry which investigated the circumstances connected with tlio riot at Liverpool Camp was presented to the Federal Parliament recently. It stated'that tlio disturbance v;ns much-over-stated, and was tlio result, of ignorance, inexperience, and youth, father than insubordination. Inexperienced oflicers and inefficient arrangements were the contributing causes, but the Brigadier was principally to blame. Senator Milieu (Federal Minister for Defence), referring to the report, said that the reproach cast on the men was unmerited. He strongly condemned the ' repucrnant system of secret reports, under which officers were condemned without any chance of defending themselves.. 'Orders would be issued that tho fullest opportunity for defence would be afforded in future.