Startling Rumour.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 27 July 1917, Page 4

Startling Rumour.

An 'All-Black' Shot for Desertion. An interesting question was put to the Minister for Defence by Mr Payne, ! member for Grey Lynn, in the House (reports the N.Z. Times). 'Whether he haß heard of the rumour which says that one of Maoriland's heroes has been done to death by British rifles for desertion, and if the rumour is true, does be approve of this arbitrary shooting of our man?' In a note, Mr Payne states: 'The circumstances of the case are said to be that tbe victim, a member of the last 'All-Blacks' team, became enamoured of a French lady, and used to take every opportunity of visiting her. On the last occasion it is stated that his company was ordered out of the firing-line for a three-days' rest, that the company was ordered back into the firing-line after only two days' respite, and in consequence the victim was said not to have returned by the time his company was ordered back into tbe firing-line, his absence was noticfld and he was tried for desertion, court-martialled, and shot. The man was no common deserter. Doubtless he committed a grave dereliction of duty, and suitable punish-nent should have been given him without resorting to the extreme measure of militarism of shooting a man who was only absent from his company during a time when he kne«? that they were resting from the arduous and trying life in the fir-ing-line. '