DEFENCE DEPARTMENT'S SLACKNESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1918, Page 4

DEFENCE DEPARTMENT'S SLACKNESS.

A "SHAKING UF' WANTKft (Our Special Corresponds*) WeHingtan, Jtan. 1& Ilie eseape of four military prisowsK from the detention barracks at Trenthsm «amp is a serioua matter for the soMiere immediately concerned. A juw-commig-sioncd officer is to he court-martiallad, and technically lie is liable to a vety serious punishment indeed. IneiaentalJy this escape, following so closely upon the Motuihi affair, will confirm masy people in their impression thai tb» Jfcfence Department has grown a Ut deck and wants "shaking up." The phrase was used the other <lay in conversation witli your correspondent }>y a gentleman who is entitled to speak with some authority. Comparisons are odious and war illations are many. But one may he permitted to ask this question-. Have we not reached a stage of the war wh#n all the higher positions in the Befenro D»partment eouM he held hy officers wfco have had experience at the front and who realise that war is a very serious and earnest business? No reflection npoa any olticcr is intended. Your correspondon I liai ln<cu brought into contact with most of the .officer'! <$ the' .Ttefence Dflpartihent. and he W not "prepared to suaaest I hat any of them would not rather !"• n( (),.. front, tlia'i here. Verv many- of i'"nii have -■rusH for permission .o '-o to <He Ivm-xi i-< the very limit .of nv'it'vv .i;.,-;,,;;,,. t.,.., : ~„.*,, ara eiv ,■•-, rrl'imed 'neu no>v iv do all the Willie.