A POLITICAL MOVE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 307, 7 January 1902, Page 2

A POLITICAL MOVE.

THE PREMIER’S TART REPLY. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, last night. In reply to a complaint by Mr Fowlds, M.H.R., regarding the fewness of Auckland names among the commissions of officers of the Eighth Contingent, the Premier telegraphs : “In reply to youc telegram as to the granting of commissions ; in the first place I have not seen the report in the newspapers, and trust I am not to be held responsible for what appears therein. What has guided myself and the military experts, seeing that the lives of the men are at stake, was the selection of the most competent men, irrespective of locality. The Imperial anthorities ask that preference should be given to those having tl had experience in South Africa, and next to those commissioned volunteers. If it has appeared in the press that only two commissioned officers from Auckland district have been selected, it is absolutely untrue. At the moment I am unable to see the connection between granting commissions and the supply of boots and shoes. I presume your telegram, like many others I have received, was intended for political purposes and publication, and were it not that the matter is so serious I would have refrained from replying so plainly. The first refusal of the officer in command was given to Auckland. The probabilities are that the second in command will be an Auckland officer. There are one or two Auckland officers at the front at the prosent time, and under these circumstances you will understand how pained I foel at being judged by an unjust and unauthorised report in the press, which is incorrect.”