UNWANTED OFFICERS.

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 270, 3 August 1918, Page 2

UNWANTED OFFICERS.

AN INVIDIOUS POSITION. The position of Territorial officers who cannot be found posts in the l-cinfarcc-mcnls, and , -who have been asked to tako non-commissioned rank, is mentioned by tho Defence Commissioners in their report. ... "Quo cannot but sympathise with the portion of these officers who volunteered for active service earlier in the war but who woro retained on duty in New Zealand, and it is hard on tfiem to be now asked to accept less than commissioned irank," says tho Commissioners. "Wo understand others had not previously, offered .their services, and widlntliem wo have no sympathy. But we ,'flel that all these'gentlemen will, on refaction, sink their personal feelings, as <o many others in New Zealand liavo done, and cheerfully fight in whatever sphere it may please their country to allot them. Their position is invidious now, seeing that they were glad to wear uniform in peace time; nnd wo fear that in the years to como no explanation will serve if they refuse to go, however well founded their contention at present seem. "It may assist them if they admit what is duo to gallant fellows who joined thb ranks years ago, not is sergeants but as privates, and who fought and suffered all sorts of dangers and privations to attain to commissioned rank, imrt realise what the' feoliitss of these fellows would bo to see brand now officei'6 ■ coming in, over their heads, four years after the war had begun! "With reference to tho preceding paragraph, wo heard a great deal of comment during this inquiry in tho camps and elsewhe.ro about an officer who had gono to France with a reinforcement in 191G, and, there being no.vacancy for a lieu-tenant-colonel on his arrival (here, was afforded the option of—(1) Retaining his rank and returning to Noiv Zealand for Instructional duty there; (2) relinquish- 1 ing his rank of lieutenant-colonel and l>eing posted to an .infantry unit in France with the rank of major. "After considerable discussion. No. 1 was allotted to him, and, retaining his rank, ho returned to Now Zealand and has since been employed in camps as an infantry instructor. In civil Jife ho was in the Lands and Surrey Department at a salary of .£275 per annum; and the Public Service Commissioner says that arrangement* could bo made foil' his return to his old Department if the military authorities could spare his services. As an infantry instructor at Fcatherstoii Camp ho receives in pay and allowances ,£638 76. fid. per annum. Tho reports on this officer state that he is keen, hard working, and conscientious, has plenty of initiative, and has justified, his selection for his present position. But it is difficult to think that instruction from an officer about whom theso facts are perfectly well kuown can achieve full measure of su:coss. "While this officer retains his -present comfortable position and handsome emoluments (considerably more than double his civil pay) it must' be conceded that theso disgrnntUJ Territorial oificors have some shadow of right to a grievance."