SOLDIER-POLITICIANS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2027, 11 September 1919, Page 3

SOLDIER-POLITICIANS.

COMRADES RESENT AN INSULT. Strong exception was taken at the meeting of (lie returned soldiers held in the Town Hall, 'Wellington, on Tuesday night to the ariiele which recently appeared in the Maoriland Worker, reflecting on soldier in embers of Parliament. * Mr Magnus Badger moved; “That this meeting deplores, (lie pnblication of an ariiele in the. Maoriland Worker reded ing on soldier memhers of Parliament, and demands from the said newspaper a complete relradion and apology for sueh a dastardly and villainous article. Seeing that the writer is not identified at this present meeting, that the excenlive lie requested to fully inquire into the matter, and if the author of (ho ariiele is found lo he a member of lids association, Unit lie he at onec expelled.” Mr Badger said the name of the supposed writer was freely mentioned abroad, and,, in order to give him an opportunity of denying the report, if lie was present, he would mention it at the meeting, , The speaker, however, was warned of the law of libel, and that lie might do an injustice, and he retrained.

'flic motion was seconded. Air J. M’Kenzio moved that the meeting proceed with tlie next busi-ne.-s. Tie said the editors and proprietors of newspapers took full responsibility for letters which’appeared in their journals unsigned. The matter had been adequately discussed in the House of Representatives, ami as a full apology was to appear in this week’s issue of the Maoriland Worker, he thought no further action was necessary.

Captain Hawkins said they were there to protect fellow comrades who had shared the dangers of the field with them. He had never seen a dirtier' more contemptible, or more damnable insult hurled at anyone, and he hoped the motion would he carried. The amendment was defeated, and the motion carried with only a few dissentients.