WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1918, Page 8

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

PRIVATE WEBB, M. P. REFUSES TO SERVE.

(Special Correspondent.) Wellington, March 13. Many of the personal friends had hoped tnat when Mr. P. C. Webb had exhausted every constitutional means to avoid military service, in the interests of his constituents, he would bow to the inevitable and demonstrate to the world at large his respect for tlnj' laws of the country and his devotion to' the cause of the Empire. But the member for Grey ha s disappointed them, lie lias written a flamboyant letter to the Minister for Defence reciting all the familiar arguments for his exemption and declaring his intention to "disobey the board and take the consequences." On going into camp at Trentham on Monday rte put his threat into effect by refusing to don khaki, and in due course will be tried by n district court-martial on a charge of refusing to obey an order given by his

■Hipcrior ofiiccr. The whole business is very deplorable, but Mr. Webb has left the authorities with no alternative.

MINISTERIAL DOCTORS. Unfortunately official blundering continues to provide some color of excuse for tlie people who sympathise with Mr. Webb's obstinate attitude. At a meeting of the executive of the Second Division last night, a reservist attended to state his expericnees. The man, according lu the oilicial report supplied !jy the League, suffers from recurring attacks of malarial fever, contracted while in the tropics some years ago. He was drawn ia the first Second Division ballot, mid on presenting himself to the Medical iiourd he was passed as fit for class A. ile applied for re-examination, and mi again appearing before the same board was declared as unfit for service and placed in class 01. Hut when the ease, euiue before the .Military Service Hoard the military representative demanded a third examination, and this lime the man was classed CI and ordered to go into the special physical training camp in June- Of course all this tangle has nothing to do with the j Minister of Defence, but this gentleman is- now being asked to intervene.

TDK SHORT SESSION. Ministers, w'ho at first hoped the abort session of Parliament to open on April !) would occupy no more than three weeks at the outside, now are looking forward, with not altogether pleasurable anticipation, to having members in Wellington for at least a month. No serious delay is expected in getting the necessary financial measures through the House, but a number of members have announced their intention to debate the proposal to prolong the life of Parliament, and to express their opinions regarding the administration of the Defence Department. Dr. Thaeker has a mandate from two or three public meetings, of varying dimensions and importance, to demand the resignation of Sir ■Limes Allen, and no regard Tor the constitutional position will restrain hira from making a deal of noise. But noth- | ing very sensational is likely to happen. WATCH AND WARD.

Though the story of two seaplanes having lieen seen operating in Tasman Bay a little while ago obtained little credence from the Defence Department, it has stimulated the authorities into renewed watchfulness and thoroughness. One story of the kind invariably leads to another, and now there are quite a number of people who have seen strange eights and heard alarming sounds. The"e safely may be put down to the perverted spirit of emulation that gets abroad In such circumstances. But a story that lias to do with a floating mine at'a spot far removed from the suspected area Toms to rest on a sounder foundation. At any rate, the naval and military authorities are redoubling their efforts fo protect the coasts from such unpleasant visitors, and so far there is no reason io doubt they have the menace fully in iiand.