GENERAL GODLEY.
In the House the other (Jay the Minister for Defence took .Air. Parr to task for daring to criticise General .Sir Alexander Godley, and for suggesting it would be in the best interests of everyone if a General possessing the confidence of our soldiers and the general public were appointed in his stead. Naturally Sir James Allen championed the General and sought to show that lie was a mtichmaligncd man. and that his unpopularity was caused more by his strict disciplinarian habits than lack of soldierly qualities. It i s perfectly right for the Minister to support his oilicers so long as he feels they merit that support. But no officer in the force-, however inefficient, need fear coming under the baa of Sir James Allen, who as an old volunteer bflieer himself is convinced that any officer under him can do no wrong, and therefore is above criticism. It \va 3 only Jie other day that he exclaimed when some o, the miiiiarv ol;i-
tors were under criticism in'the House, "How dare you critiei.-e my officer*!" and the exclamation fairly epitomises his general attitude towards militate officers. si r j ilmcs sa ; (i i(; M . ls : in ;|,, t , r . iv ' e of discipline for a member of Parliament to give utterance to criticism of the kind indulged in by tl, c member for Auckland, but this, after all, is a free democratic country where even in war time Members of Parliament and the 3'rcss (to a more limited extent) retain the dearly won and precious right of free speech. Mr. Pun- Las been accused of indiscretion in speaking as frankly as he did, but we don't know whether he should be blamed so much for discharging what lie considered was a public duty, in any case, he only said in public what has been freely heard in current conversation for nearly three years. New Zeaiamlevs as a whole have a good deal of native judgment and übilil>, and can always be relied upon to -play the game,'' even in ■connection with their superior officers who may have incurred their displeasure by the exercise of strict discipline. The time when the New Xciiander objected to rigid military discipline is past. He knows quite well that in order to protect his fellows and win through he must obey commands strictly, hence to-day it is a truism in France that the New Zeahtndci is as disciplined as any conscript s.■!-' dier. Where there is much smoke there is sure to be lire, aiid when you hear the same story as to the unpopularity of the General and his want of understanding of the nature of those under him it can fairly be assumed Unit there is good reason for it. The charges of cowardice freely made against the General can he dismissed. The General proved his courage at Mal'eking and several times during the present war. No doubt he has soldierly qualities of a high order -hut he cannot get on with New Zealandcrs. That has been proved throughout the war, and it is good reason for the Government representing to the imperial Army the advisability of a change. This lack of understanding is all the more surprising seeing that General Godley met with conspicuous success in creating the New Zealand territorial army, his tact and urbanity always being conspicuous features of his treatment of the public and the boys lie was "licking into shape." Without mutual confidence 'between officer commanding and men no army can do its best, and for that reason it is surprising the Government ere this has not quietly seen that' General Godley was promoted to another sphere wliere his talents would be more successfully employed and more appreciated by those under
him. All military officers to the (Defence Minister, however, are sacvosanet, and it is unlikely Sir James would move in the direction suggested by Mr. Parr whilst he holds his present portfolio., Xmie of the o/lieers who have failed to make good need have any fear of incurring tlio risk of removal or dismissal. They are heroes in the sight of Sir James, and must never be subject to the searchlight of public criticism, even in Parliament by vdell-iuieanirig memlbers striving, according to their lights and judgment, to do their duty faithfully by the public. Mr. Parr should be credited with the best of intentions in bringing forward this important matter, and, no doubt, he acted with the greatest reluctance, being moved by the wholehearted desire to stimulate our men to do their best, and the only way in which that can be brought about is by ensuring complete confidence and esteem between the men and their commanding officer, such as exists in the case of Oeneral Birdwood.
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Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1917, Page 4
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794GENERAL GODLEY. Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1917, Page 4
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