ALLEGED CASE OF VICTIMISATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2931, 17 November 1916, Page 6

ALLEGED CASE OF VICTIMISATION

STlll AT HAMILTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. Hamilton, November 16. A case of alleged victimisation of a local telegraph. official named' Scott is creating some interest in Hamilton. Scott is one of a large iyumbcr of sccedcrs from the Waikato Regimental Band, and is alleged to have/attempted to scop the To Awamutu 'Band from playing away a reinforcement draft from Hamilton. As tho result of representations of a local military officer to'the Postmaster-General, Scott received a transfer to Auckland. At a large gathering last night, ho was made several presentations, when Mr. Young, M.P., declared that ho had inquired fully into N tho allegations, and had found thac a case of gross injustice had been perpetrated. Ho would make tho country ring with the scandal, even at the risk of -losing his scat in Parliament. He would see that redress was made. Mr; Combs, permanent secretary of tho Tost and Telegraph Officers' Association, who made a special journey from Wellington to be present, declared that lie had beon authorised by the executive to say that tho organisation (5000) at ln's back was determined to make tho Department retreat from its present position and do justice to Scott. The association would fight the case to tho bitter end. The Department, in roply to inquiries, denied that there was any victimisation. In transferring Mr. Scott from Hamilton to Auckland it was exercising its right, and tlio change was for the more efficient working of the Department. The transfer must not be regarded as a punishment. In such' cases all cost of removal is borno by tho Department, and tho officer loses neither pay nor status.