TERRITORIAL STRIKE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 7 December 1912, Page 5

TERRITORIAL STRIKE

RESULT OF ORDERLY ROOM.

STRIKERS FINED £1 EACH

A COMPLAINT TO BE LODGED

A Lance-Corporal and sixteen men of tlio C Company of Territorials, who left drill on Friday of last week, appeared before Lieut. Wilson, OffieorCommanding the Company, in an orderly room in the Drill Hall, last evening, to answer a charge of breach of discipline. The whole of the men pleaded guilty, but stated that thov had acted under provocation. The evidence of soveral of the men was taken, and the provocation alleged taken, and they were drilled by a boy; that they did not consider the officer who was in charge of them was entitled to promotion, and other causes of a similar character. Lieut. Wilson then ordered the men to appear before Major Skey, the Of-ficer-Comma ndino- the district. They were marched, under arrest, to the Defence Office, where another orderly room was held before Major Skey. The men. were asked if they preferred to be dealt with summarily, or would select to bo tried before a court-martial. One was understood to say that ho preferred' a eourt-mnrt ; il, but when he was told that the fine might "be made heavier, he selected to be dealt with summarily. Each man pleaded trniltv, under provocation, tc a breach of discipline, Th'> Offircr-Oomnmnd'ing reduced the Lance-Corporal to the ranks, and fined each of the sixteen men £l. Tt is stated that the men were not permitted to give evidence before the second tribunal as to provocation. A renort of the proceedings will be sent on to Colonel Tnte (the Brigade Commander 1 ), who will doubtless forward it. with bis rwn remarks to Colonel Chnytor. the District Commander. Th" men hnve nrepnred a formal complaint, which the- intend forwarding to headounrters. through the Officer Commanding. Tt is considered hio-hlv probable that, in view of nil the circumstances, an inquiry will be held. Dissp+Wnction was oxnressed by some of the men to an Acre renorter last m>ht. that two of those who are alleged to have crone off on ratio had. not been, summoned to the orderly room. i It is understood that mosf of the men will pav the fine, though it is feared that trouble mav a wain arise if the ofT'eer to whom excenfi'on is

taken is placed in charge of the com-

pany. ■nCt-im,. !<i iho case will be awaited with considerable interest.