A Bad Bargain,

Levin Daily Chronicle, 15 August 1918, Page 3

A Bad Bargain,

ALLEGED CHRONIC DESERTER. Among the many persons who apply to the Wellington War Relief Association arc some "adventurers,' 7 "with records to compare with certain '' moving picture" characters. These persons i make a living in divers ways, but eventually they work out their best patches of profit, and try their luck with a call on the administrators of patriotic funds. An official file regarding one wily applicant shows that he enlisted as far back as August, 1914. Apparently he was eager to be among the first volunteers. But he soon became weary of military routine, and deserted under a false name. However, by the middle of January, 1915, he again felt the call of the camp, and utis attested at Trentham. In March lie was tried by courtmartial, and was sentenced to 62 days' imprisonment with hard labour, with the additional penalty of discharge with ignominy. This did not discourage him. He managed to enlist again on 29th May, and went away with the sth Reinforcements. Apparently lie deserted from the N.Z.E.F. at Hornchurch in March, 1916, and subsequently received his discharge in England. He was embarked for New Zealand, but ho went ashore at Capetown and joined the Royal Navy. He deserted, and worked his passage out to Wellington, where he arrived in October, 1917. It is stated that '' the man is really a deserter, although he holds a discharge which renders hira. immune from any charge the military may make against him." Here is an extract from a Defence Department file: "Taking all the facts into consideration, I am inclined to think that no good purpose will be served by courtmartialling this man. He is one of His Majesty's 'bad bargains,' and as such I think it will be unwise to proceed further, and, of course, the matter could be cleared up accordingly. Xo further action." , . The Defence Department seems to be svell pleased to be rid of this '' passeni*er.' f He was away 315 days, but he <aw no foreign service. He did not run the risk of becoming a "casualty"; he prefers to be a. "casual."