THE TERRITORIALS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 3 December 1912, Page 5

THE TERRITORIALS

HOW APPOINTMENTS ARK MADE

A correspondent, .signing himself "Inquisitive," writes as follows to the editor of the AVairarapa Age: "Re Territorial Matters. —I note that /the appointments of junior commissioned officers are made 'solely on account of good character and intelligence.' J& the recent appointment meant to-in-dicate the the N.C.O.'s of "0" Company are so lacking in these very os■seirtial qualities, as< to bar their }«*cmotion to the commissioned stain*. when an opportunity occurs, -aril therefore it has been found necessary to select u young and inexperienced; private of the Bearer Corps far a commission? Whv is this thus*?-"

The Premier's attention was directed at Auckland to a Master-ton telegram reporting dissatisfaction among Territorials over the appointment of officors, who it was contended, had uo qualifications for tho position, but whose parents held high social positions and were supporters'of the Reform Party. Mr Mussey said so far as he knew social position had notlrbig -to do with any appointment' made under the Reform Government, either in .Defence or any other department. He would, however, see the Minister far Defence on the suhiect.

"Territorial" writes to tho Age: '•:" read with merriment the so-called «s» plantation given by Lieut. Pin-dy of" the Red 'Jape Brigade. He says v;o should have stated our grievance iu a proper manner. Yes, and it might have been dealt with in three ot)four months' time, as is their usual manner. No., sir, the true, facts «p the ease are: had it not been for the. Cofflpul«oi7 Training Act coming- int;» force, this youthful aspirant fo>- military honours would probably never have been heard of. And now, rv.> doubt, some perwm in (minority would like to hear his giving o'.de".< U) the groundlings. Lieut. Pnrdv says that class distinction is not in evidence in this scheme. V/ell % we think, differently .in 'regard to ap-point-nn'sit*. I" quite agree with you. sir. i-; irg.-H-:! to the inquiry being open t-> y:Uv press, as it would help make «.ir»\ J*iifitavy training r-h-'iiif. «• \nsco^- s^