AN OLD TESTIMONIAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2778, 24 May 1916, Page 6

AN OLD TESTIMONIAL

MB. WILFORD EXPLAINS. A list of tho names of persons suspected of being: of German origin or sympathies was published on Monday morning at the request of the Defence Minister. The list contained also some account of every man, and of tho Det'onca Department's dealings with him. One of those men was Fritz Dollings, who had not been jeeepted for service on account of his German origin, but it was stated 'that he had testimonials from some of the leading citizens in 'tho Dominion, "and one special recommendation froiii Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P." By this statement Mr. Wilford considered himself misrepresented, and he mads a personal explanation on tho matter in the Housd yesterday afternoon. Ho wan not in the Houße, he said, when the Defence Minister made the statement, but ho afterwards went across > the floor of the House and asked Mr. 'Allen whether he had stated that he (Mr. Wilford) had "given a recommendation to Dollings t« get away," and the Minister had denied it. .Mr. Allen: I never said that. Tou are putting in those words now—'get awiy.' cMv. Wilford: "You will have your explanation afterwards. He went on to explain that he gave the recommendation to Dollings, who was a lauudryman at petone, six years ago, four years before' war broke out. It was given to assist tho young man to gain admission to the permanent artillerv, and the recommenda-. tion stated that Dollings was a steady and reliable young man, who would give satisfaction should ho obtain the position he was seeking. "This quotation, he declared, "was mado by the honourable James Allen for tho purpose of stultifying me, and is well reproduced in The Dominion of yesterday morning, II is distinctly typical,, and if. he is iiol ashamed of it I am."

Mr. Speaker wats already on his feet 'to call the honourable member to order, Mr. Speaker directed tho honourablo member that he must not abuse the forms of the House.

The Defenoe Minister, replying, said that a charge had been made in respect to Dollings by' the Anti-German League, with whom tlio honourable member was iu direct communication. The Defence Department was accused of taking a man who was a pro-German. The recommendation was submitted by this man, and was now on the file. The rccommendatior was not that Dollings Bhould bo allowed to go to the front, but, what was mow dangerous, that he should .be allowed to join the Permanent Artillery. Mr. Wilford: Six year 3 ago. Voices: That dowrOfc matter.

Mr. Wilford said he was not a inem> ber of the Anti-German League, and h< was not associated with it.

Mr. Allflu: Oil yes, you are. Mr. Wilford: I lwve acted for Mnd&a Boeufve and John Payne before a commission that was set uj> to whitewash tho Minister. Thaifs all 1 have done.