A MILD RIOT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1916, Page 3

A MILD RIOT.

AT FEATHERSTON CAMP. CANTEENS THE TROUBLE. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, April 13. Some of the soldiers in training at Featherston camp engaged in a mild riot on Monday night, the particular object o! their attention being the canteen. A good deal of glass was broken, and it is stated that some looting took place before order was restored. The canteen is managed, by a private contractor, whose prices had caused a certain amount of dissatisfaction among the troops, but enquiries made by a Times reporter yesterday showed that there were other causes of discontent. I It appeals that the week-end leave v. as cut down last week, and the men believed that they had suffered because the trains were wanted to take racegoers to Trentham course. The soldiers like races, but they do not jee why [civilians who wish to enjoy themselves on the courses should have first call on the railway service. Then it was announood that the 13th Infantry Reinforcements, unlike previous dratts, would not receive advance pay before leaving camp on their long leaveAn immediate result of this announcement' was a strike; a big body of men 1 refusing to go on parade one morning. The Camp Commandant promised to see what could be done in the matter, and it appears that his representations to the authorities were successful, the old method of payment being resumed. An incident that caused more annoyance than anything else in the camp related to a returned soldier who had set up a flsh-and-chip business near the canteen. The canteen proprietor, whose lease gives him something of a monopoly, objected to the competition, and it is stated that the ex-soldier was told to close his establishment.

"There were seventeen arrests, but they d ; d not rletei the crowd," runs one soldier's description of the trouble that arose on Mondav night. "The men forced their way through the canteen doors, and carried all before them, and there was a very warm time for all concerned. The affair did not end till pretty late at night, and feeling is still running rcty strong. Tire high prices charged in the canteen were one of the causes of the outbreak."

Since Monday the camp authorities have taken steps to remedy the grievances of the soldiers with regard to canteer.jprices. The reporter gathered that the responsible officers have not been disposed to take a very serious view of the rioting that occurred, and that no recurrence of the trouble 'is anticipated. The Camp Commandant Jias assured the troops that any real grievances they may possess will be remedied, and the men themselves are not anxious to do discredit to their Reinforcement or delay their own training.