RETURNED SOLDIERS COMPLAINTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3988, 22 July 1915, Page 3

RETURNED SOLDIERS COMPLAINTS.

STORIES OF THE WILLOCHRA

ALLEGED CONDUCT OF OFFICER*

(By Telegraph,- Special Correspondent.. WELLINGTON, July 21.

In the House yesterday Mr Payne (Grey Lynn) asked the Minister for Defence a question regarding a complaint which, he said, had been made regarding the conduct- of officers on a ship conveying wounded men from the. Dardanelles to Aleaxndria. Hi* said that it- was stated that the officers took up the best part of the ship and about two-thinls of the space. He admitted that the Minister was notto blame, as he had been. informed tliat a cable bad I>een received from Mr Alien stating that no expense' was to be spared in making the men comfortable- It was also coinplained tliat the food served to the men on the AVilloehra was not satisfactory. Another complaint was that the officers in Gallipoli went into a'turn with their leggings and other officers badges. Mr Allen said tliat he had not known, what had happened between the Dardanelles and Alexandria, but lie did not believe for a moment that tho officers desired to monopolise the best part of the ship. “If I know tho officers,” lie said, "I think they would look after the men before, themselves.”

Mi- Pavnc: I can give the mimes of tiio ship ami of the men. Mi- Allen: Well give me. the information. I <lo not- believo it. t«>i A moment. I have iaith in the oflicei-s. I have heard no complaint as to the food on the Wi. Hoc-lira and as to the officers, I -understand that they have abandoned all distinctions of dress in Flanders and 1 should imagine that that was also being done at the Dardanelles. I do not know of course. [ am not controlling the Dardanelles campaign.