MILITARY SERVICE PROSECUTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 60, 12 March 1914, Page 4

MILITARY SERVICE PROSECUTIONS.

A correspondent of the "Lytteltonl 'Times" writes complaining ol tiiC| constant prosecution of our youth lor, failing to render personal service."; The "Times," discussing the letter,; says this correspondent is labouring! under a misapprehension which we arc, afraid is very common in the Do-; minion. General Godley and the "imported Imperial officers" are held responsible by the average anti-mili-tarist not only for the existence of the "compulsory clauses" of the Defence Act. but also for everything that seems harsh and peremptory in their administration. "Exit," our contemporary goes on to say, "as a matter of fact these sorely maligned gentlemen have no more to do with the 'constant prosecution' of defaulters than they had to do with the framing of the Act itself, and that, of course, was nothing at all. !t is the duty of the militarv authorities under the regulations to send the names of defaulters to the civil authorities, but having done .that their official connection . with the proceedings ends. If an" officer is called upon to prove that a youth has failed to render personal service, lie does not appear in Court in his military capacity, but simply as a witiiess to facts. In justice to General Godley and his officers it is only right that this point should be c-m-I phasised. The Commandant has snared no effort .to make the system acceptable to the community. He has listened to complaints with inritnte paj tience, he has promptly remo/od any real grievance and lie has consulted the convenience of the men ;n every j possible direction. As far as we have j observed , Ids officers, speaking gener- | ally, have boon inspired by the same | admirable spirit. If there have been unnecessary prosecutions or harsh adI ministration of any kind, the fault j lies with the civil authorities. If the i law it:■;■'!' is to blame the Minister of : Defence must answer."