TERRITORIAL "STRIKE"

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 30 November 1912, Page 5

TERRITORIAL "STRIKE"

SIXTEEN MASTERTON MEN GO OFF PARADE.

THEY OBJECT TO BEING DRILLED BY A JUNIOR.

For some time past there have been whispers of dissatisfaction in tho ranks of the "C" Company of Territorials in Masterton. It.appears that a young man, who is said to have j had very short oxporience in the Tor-"' ritorial movement, was a few week& hack promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He had appeared twice on parade with senior officers, hut last night he was alono in command. No sooner had the men fallen in and answered the roll-call, than sixteen of them marched deliberately out of the Drill Hall, leaving/only twelve with the non-commissioned officers, on jwrade.

CRIES OF "SCAB." Tho prospect of a "strike" had apparent been gruited about the town, for when the parade commenced there was a large gathering of young men outside" the hall. When the "strikers" came off parade there was a groat deal of jeering, and cries of "scabs!" to those who remained. Stonos were thrown on the roof of the building, and eome damage is reported to have been done. Constable Bird arrived upon tho scene- and quietened matters. The twelve men were put through various exercises, and at the conclusion of the drill the "strikers" vigorously hooted the young officer as he l©Tft the hall. The officer mounted his bicycle and left hurriedly for his home, and thus avoided some over-ripe hen-fruit which was thrown after him. STATEMENT OF THE MEN.

Several of the men made statements concerning the affair to sn Age representative. One of them asserted that he was not going to bo drilled by a boy, whose solo experience had been gamed in the Ambulance Corps. Another stated that the officer had been promoted simply because of his social standing. A third said there were ex-Volunteers and others who were more entitled to promotion than the officer in question. It was further stated that tho absence of the senior officers was significant. OFFICER INTERVIEWED.

An Age reporter interviewed the junior officer, who stated that, until the matter was reported to his superiors, ho had nothing to say. The men had deliberately walked off parade, and there was no doubt an inquiry would ho held. STRENGTH OF THE COMPANY.

Thcro are over sixty men- on the roll of the Company, and of these only about-thirty put in mi appearance at last night's parade. It is stated that many of the othors wero absent bocause they refused to be drilled by tho youthful officer. The men state that they intend protesting to headquarters against the'appointment of the officer.

OFFICERS SUPERSEDED. It is reported that two senior officers of tho Company who absented themselves from parade, last evemig have been, superseded by the young officer (eighteen years of age), whi» has been promoted to tKe rani* of First Lieutenant ft \* **>«> passing a single ewmrraiioij. ..