THE MOTUIHI SCANDAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 344, 11 January 1918, Page 2

THE MOTUIHI SCANDAL.

We are glad to find that as a result of the report of the Court of Inquhv that dealt with the recent escape of German prisoners of war from Motuihi Island the-Gov-ernment has definitely settled that the conduct of the officers responsible for the safe custody of Von Luckner and his companions shall be carefully enquired into. Cabinet has directed that Lieut. - Col. Turner, the Commandant of the Island, shall be tried by courtmartial, and that a further enquiry shall be made as to the amount of responsibility devolving upon the officer commanding the Auckland military district and the Director of personal services. What action is to be taken with regard to Major-General Sir A Robin has not yet been decided upon, but we shall probably hear within the next few days as to what steps will be taken in his case. The prompt and decisive action of the Executive in dealing with the most unfortunate scandal the Defence Authorities have as yet had to face will, we are satisfied, be generally applauded, and it is to be hoped that the many ineptitudes which have characterised defence administration will be reduced as it gradually becomes understood that military commands carry responsibilities as well as privileges. While we gratefully acknowledge that we have scores of capable and zealous military officers carrying out their duties efficiently and impartially we cannot but admit that in many cases appointments to important commands have been made of men absolutely incompetent either as officers or as officials. Sometimes their defect; are hidden owing to the e i pacify of their subordinate of jeer, frequently, however, they are but too glaiingly potent. The man who could not by any chance manage to pass the qualifying examination of a subaltern should never be put in a position of military responsibility, no matter what political pull he has, nor how many lady friends who claim to have the ear of Ministers. Nothing can more adversely affect the welfare of the service or more effectually damp the zeal of competent junior officers than to find that their promotion is barred because the places above them are filled by men who owe their position to any qualification rather than their military capacity. No service can be either contented or produce the best results it is capable of while it is felt that professional efficiency and merit are no certain roads to promotion.