TERRITORIAL STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 298, 13 June 1912, Page 5

TERRITORIAL STRIKE

A COMPANY'S GRIEVANCE. WHY THE MEN DID NOT PARADE. By Telegraph—Pi-ess Association, Auckland, Tuesday. A military court to inquire into the matter of the discipline of No. 7 Company, Auckland Garrison Artillery, and ascertain the reason for only two officers and. one man out of 114 member- i*i th" company attending the King's Birlhday parade, ' opened here. Major Hraithwaite presided, and with him were associated Major Stevenson and Captain Melville. Lieutenant Parker, late officer in charge of the compel I *. was present. The president of the court explained that the inquiry wa« "iof. into Lieutenant Parker's honor or character, but as to his command of the companv. Colonel Hazard, officer commanding the division, stated that the discipline of the company was bad. He n-cording-Iv transferred Parker to another company. Thereupon an article onneared in the. Auckland Star statin? that No. 7 Companv was goimj on «h*ik». and would not attend the King's Birthday •■•irr I *>. At the narade in question only two officers and one pointer attended. Members of the comr>an<* were called to give evidence, and stated that up till the time of Parker's transfer, the discipline was excellent. It was only when Parker, with fourteen year's experience, was removed and replaced by a junior oy only twelve month's service, that the men decided to show their resentment by refusing to parade. Lieutenant Parker, in his evidence, stated that when savin? good-bye to his company he read the district order fdl the King's Birthday parade. He told the men to play the game. He did not think the men meant to mutiny, bul desired to show their disapproval of what had happened. Parker added that he felt the transfer so keenly that ht intended to resign his commissioi The court has suboiftted the tr InHquartera.