FOUR COLONELS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 July 1938, Page 7

FOUR COLONELS

SOME TALK OF SUPPORTING ACTION REPORTED CONSULTATIONS BY TERRITORIALS. THE DEMAND FOR INQUIRY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, July 7. It is reported in Gisborne that Territorials in. various centres have been in informal consultation regarding possible action to support the four colonels who recently were retired as a disciplinary measure in consequence of their having issued a manifesto emphasising the inadequacy and inefficiency of the Dominion’s land forces. It is stated that the rank and file of the force are unanimously behind the officers and are determined to do everything possible to support them. It was first proposed in Gisborne that the men should resign in a body as a protest, it being understood that a lead in this direction would be followed elsewhere, but action has been deferred until it is ascertained’ whether the demand for an inquiry will be acceded to.

DECIDED DISSENT VIEW OF DUNEDIN OFFICER. ARMY MUST BE NON-POLITICAL. DUNEDIN, July 7. It was stated by a prominent Territorial officer tonight that there was no question of any action being taken by Dunedin Territorials concerning the enforced retirement of the four colonels. This officer was of opinion that all officers on the active list in this district were prepared to support the defence policy of the Government of the day, no matter what party sat on the Treasury benches. The bone of contention, he said, seemed to be whether the present establishment was sufficient for the defence needs of the country today. It really rested with the officers on the active list to do everything in their power to ensure the efficiency of the force and to endeavour to the best .of their ability to put into effect the policy of the Government. If an officer were not satisfied there was only one way open for him, and that was to resign his commission and take the necessary political action to endeavoijr to persuade the Government to change its policy. * “The Army must definitely be nonpolitical,” he concluded, “and all officers on the active list must avoid even a semblance, of interfering in politics.”