LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2890, 30 September 1916, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT AND RECRUITING COMMITTEE CAPTAIN BARCLAY IN iUSI'LY. Sir-, —In your issue of this dato dealing with an alleged "dispute" having arisen between myself ami tho Det'enco authorities, 1 think it is only necessary to state tnat tho story as printed is quite misleading. Thorp was no dispute. Thero are facts] Colonel Tate's statements as printed are, in l'arliamontary language, "not in accordanco with tlioso .tacts,'' save in one point, viz., "thero was not the slightest heat or iriction.':..." The letter from the Hon. Defence Minister, dated 21st instant, which you have already, published, is perfectly clear that the intention was that tho military oiheor administering the oath could also deal with tho attestation papers. These, aro not one and tho same actions'; honce, as both these ivore to be tho work of a military officer it was quito obvious that there was ho furthor need for civilian assistance at tho Town Hall office. Tho remaining matter, under the beading, "The Aotual Proposals," "No Interference," is, pure fiction, which I can leave to bo dealt with by tho "nonexistent. committee" and those fifteen gentlemen who for the past (nearly) twelvo months have so genially and generously worked with mo on a regular rota. The statement that my task was "self-imposed" is so absurd that I need not further allude to it. This is not a time for controversy on any subjeot that might hinder voluntary recruiting.—l am, etc., iW. DE ft. BARCLAY. Wellington, September 28, 1916.