MR. GUNSON'S CRITICISMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2683, 1 February 1916, Page 7

MR. GUNSON'S CRITICISMS

— REPLY BY MINISTER Of DEFENCE By, Teleeraph— Press Association. Dunedin, January 31., Interviewed ou the subject of Mr. Gunson's criticism of the Defence Department, the Hon. James Allen said: "Unless he can bring forward specific instances it is hot possible for, us to answer'his statements. The Defence Department is only too pleased to have reported any legitimate complaints, hut they must be specific so that wo may inquiro into them and they will bo rectified if the}' are legitimate. The Defence Department is also anxious that the Ma.*ors aud leading members of the community, and those connected with patriotic societies should sift as far as they can locally any complaints to ascertain how far they are on a solid foundation. The Mayors who>do this for the Department are rendering a service to the bulk of the soldiers who have returned, to the Defence Department, and to the community generally;. Mr. Gunson voiced some complaints some time ago about Trentliam. I then invited him to Trentliam to come and see for himself how matters stood, but I regret to say lie refused my invitation. I now invite him to ccme to Wellington and thoroughly examine the Records Branch and Pay Branch, and any other branch he likes. I will not,promise him that- he will find everything working in perfect order, but I will promise him a revelation which will be of value to him in his future_ general criticism; at any rate he will have the opportunitv of seeing _ whether the Defence Dooart. ment is doing good work or whether it is neglecting its duty to ...returned soldiers who are just as much in the care of the Defence Department, and more in -the care of the Defenco Department thau the.v are of Mr. Gunson, the Mayor of Auckland." v