LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 200, 13 May 1918, Page 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

TERRITORIAL OFFICERS TO LOSE RANK Sir,—l should like to 6ay a few words >n regard to the trouble respecting tho officers being asked to' go to tho front in position, below their Territorial rank, es there is no place for them. I underetarid a certain lot have refused to go. .Officers witihj actual war experience are the ones wuntod, and these other meu who havo fiven years of study and ser,vico and timo to gain their commissions are to bo asked to go at a lower rank, fc'iniply because they, through stress of circumstances or other reasons, were not able to go at tho 'outbreak of war. \A.i the outeet wo sent our officers according to their rank, although they had no previous war experience, and I think it is only fan - that we still send our officers according to their rank; otherwise it Bhould havo been stated at the beginning that officers would loso their rank if they did not go at the first. Some officers lave not gone earlier on account of dojnestio ties, and it is very unfair.tiat they be asked to lower their rank. I .wonder if Genei'al Eobin wouid like" to go as a n.c.o.j if so, let him eet the example. He is a person greatly criticised at tho present moment, and hie skill and judgment in past events are opon to question. I refer to the escape of German prisoners: not that be was to blame, but he was the commander. I think tho less trouble caused in this matter the better. Officers should be sent as officers or else it should havo been stated at the. commencement of the war that unless they went at once they, would lose their rank: We Btmt officers at , the beginning without aotual war experience, and wo must still do eo. No other legal course is open uuless the officer offers to go lower voluntarily.— & am, eto., WELL-WISHER.