TROOPSHIP NO. 49

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2809, 29 June 1916, Page 6

TROOPSHIP NO. 49

THE MANNER OF COMPLAINT STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER A statement was made yesterday by the Defence Minister in reply to Mr. Poole's question, on tho complaint of the men on board Troopship No. 49 and their method of obtaining redress.

"The matter of a number of men, including twelve non-commissioned officers, signinga petition is not," said Mr. Allen, "in accord with military law, which provides full opportunity for the presentation of any grievance, and tEe officer commanding the Force was quite within his rights in characterising this action in very strong terms. In the absence of a report, I am not prepared to make any comment on the terms alleged to have been used by him in. addressing the petitioners. Apart from any action by the military authorities, I have to point out that the master robins full powei under marine law to deal with any disorder on the high seas, and that any concerted action contrary to custom 01 regulation at sea iB to be strongly deprecated in the interests of general safoty, if for no other reason. The n.c.o.'s and men would be fully aware that if individual representation to -the officer of the? day brought no attention, tli'e'y were unite within their rights in making further reference to the source of compluiut to the officer commanding through then immediate company officers. The latter have gone right through their camp training with them, and would be well able to judge the sincerity of the complaint, and know it to be their duty to fairly represent, the matter to the officer commanding. Officers are. Jam fully assured, only too willing to hear tann fide complaints, and to adjust them if it is possible: but it must be recognised that the adoption of irregular practices for obtaining redress of real or fancied wrongs cannot, be countenanced, both in the interests of the individual soldier ot I tho troops as a whole, and particularly so at sea for. the well-being aiid safety of all on board." CHKISTCRURCH SOLDIER'S LETTER. I. By Telegraph—Press Association.

Christchurch, June 28. A letter addressed to friends in Christchurch by Sergt. Rowland' Wood, who was on Transport 49, states: "We hare Jind a good voyage, with lovely weather, but I> will not be sorry to walk on. land again. I expect we have had the easiest ■time while we have been on hoard that we shall have for many a long day. Our officers hove been all right, and cur food has been good. Altogether wo have hud a good time." FOOD BETTER THAN IN CAMP. Sergt. .1. Brady, writing to an aunt in Wellington concerning the trip from New Zealand in Troopship 40, says— "The food the men get is slightly better than they get in camp. We have a sergeant's mess, and by paying 2s. 6d. a week each we get as good n meal as you could wish to get anywhere. Of -course, this applies to every meal we get. For instance, we get steak and onions, chops, tripe, Irish stew, soup, roast beef, bacon and eggs (on Sunday), potatoes,' Cabbage, turnips and marrow, puddings, baked and boiled rice, baked tapioca, bread pudding, primes, apples, apricots, peachcs, and there is always a fresh supply of bread, buns, and .scones." The writer goes on casually to describo how warm the weathe,r is, and bow it was not an uncommon practice for the men to be found reading a magazine whilst lying in a cold bath. The letter from whicn tlie extract is made was written at sea on April 25. ABOUT MAJOR BEEHBTON. Nelson, June 28. In regard fo the mention of.llajor Brereton's name in connection with the troublo oil Troopship 49, the opinion locally among returned soldiers who served. under Major Brereton at Gallipoli is that the'v nover wish to flervo nnder a bettor ofocor. - He was higlilv respected for his military qualities, also for his reasonableness, and liis considerate treatment of tho men. In n word tho returned men think the world of Major Brereton in ovary way.