THE WANGANUI SCANDAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1919, Page 7

THE WANGANUI SCANDAL.

To tie Editor, .Sir,—ln yours of the 21st Mr Wright, in his reply to my previous let™ ter, endeavors to side-track the question of the brutal treatment of military prisoners at Wanganui by mixing tip my name, Mr Holland's and Bolshevik which, so far as I can see, has no bearing on the issue at stake, viz,, Jaauy man in authority justified in adding to a prisoner's sentence while serving his term by cowardly and brutal ill-usage? A system if allowed to go unchecked and Jauded by men holding public positions would eventually lead to even sew Zealand, which has proved her loyalty on every occasion, becoming anarchial in government and sentiment. The recent by-elections have proved thai a democratic people like the New Zeaianders will not submit to an autocratic dictatorship, be it military or political. I make no apology for daring to criticise any County Council, Recruiting Board, or any other local body, as, when they pas® resolutions relating to subjects outside theif own district cot immediately connected with the duties they were elected to perform any outsider infringes on none of the laws of etiquette which practically rule these matters by fair criticism. Mr Wright, with li:s political aspirations and Ills desire to curry favor with a certain political Barty, has proved toi be top previous in fiis congratulations to the Defence Minister, as the Defence Minister made a statement a. few days afo that fifteen of those who were responsible for the [brutal treatment of the C.O'a, in Wan- ; ganui fead bean removed, and Lieut. Crampton was oniy allowed in cWarge until another man arrived to relieve aim ol his position. According to Mr reasoning, n I am a Bolshevik 'tue Defence Minister is also one, as lie is defending the C.O's. against brutality by dismissing iT.osa responsible for the brutal treatment meted out to the military prisoners e.i Wanganui. In conclusion, ■>; .maintain that all punishment tor any crime, either military or civil, should stri'vb «ii ■being reformative r-nd not vindictive, nor brutal, such 4s many people of Mr Vi'rigiit's class advocate being on the military prisoners. ISo doubv they consider it a safe and cheap method of proving their loyalty. Then tlieK h the ofl-chance to be considered of they themselves becoming | the political nominee of the autocraiii party, a ps*rty that judged by the veidict shown at the most of the bye elections, of flit, last two years will soon ces.33 to exist.—l rr.i, etc., H. A. HUNT. > iiuinga, December 29.