RIPA ISLAND HUNGER STRIKERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3978, 8 July 1913, Page 5

RIPA ISLAND HUNGER STRIKERS.

THEIR ALLEGATIONS REVIEWED

STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. “NO FOUNDATION IX FACT.” [BY TELECEAPII —PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, July 7. The Minister for Defence (Hon. Jas. Allen) had something further to say to-day regarding the recent allegations that the administration of the Defence Act has been tyrannous, or something of- the sort. “All the statements that were made to me by the deputation about Ripa Island and some others made in the House are being inquired into,” said the Minister. “I have directed that a preliminary inquiry shall he made concerning them to see whether there is any justification for an official inquiry, and an officer was sent down to Lyttelton on Saturday night to see for himself, and to report as to the position of things there. So far as I can judge, most of what was said by the deputation has no foundation in fact. Allegations Unfounded. “We were accused of supplying these lads with too little food. When I read the correspondence that some members of the deputation handed to me, I found that some of those confined had refused to take food. If they refused to take food 1 we can’t lie. accused ofi not giving them enough. Some are taking food, and I den’t know whether they have anv reason to complain or not. We shall find cut about that later, but they have refused to do any work, and the officer in charge of them decided that they didn’t need as much food as if they were working hard. Some small limitation was made to the ration allowed, hut not much, and the doctor passed the allowance as amply sufficient. “I don’t see how there can be anything in the allegations that the boys suffer from cold at- night because we supply them with four blankets each and they have their own overcoats. At any rate, the charge is being inquired into. It may lie that they ars cold in the day time. lam sometimes cold in the day time myself. If they had not refused to work thev would not have suffered from cold. We give them physical drill, but- we can’t do that all the day long. No Victimisation. “I have not had time.” continued the Minister, “to inquire into the charges of victimisation alleged against us, hut I am quite certain there is no desire on the part of the department to victimise anybody. From what I can hear the hoot is on the other foot, and any victimisation that exists comes from them. I have heard, for instance, that at Runanga j some of those objecting to the Act- / altogether are bringing pressure to/ bear on those willing to comply wit it. and are threatening and boyc-of ting them in the places where th/ work because they want to _ com./' with the law. I call that vietin/“] tion. Tt has been alleged tha//-spec-ially picked out those at Ru/~£Afor prosecution. That is not true/..'y prosecutions were started at Hp/y’y 1 and then at Greymouth beror/ nga, and there was some in Grevmouth that- we had p , , ec; Yy' those least opposed to the A// e£ 7y'y- . those most opposed to it f. ?° ■ l ' r y" I have also heard that /h ere _ w / young fellows on the "We/ '- oa ?* are quite willing to go e l ' a . but that they are being enorise ~ a " so prevented from doii> sO- - Preliminary jffestigation. "I can’t say yet -pother there be a public inquiry-/to vhat has^n^penea, because I T sa 7 w - iat “yy ” is to inquire-into/.I am having a pj - limiiiarv invest^ 1011 made in « a;i the charges. ract ! v ra " I can judge. some or these men are out- to bM dov '" n the A P/l* gether, and /ev are prepared to soc^ anv means/] do it. _ . . . :<I ]i ar </also been maturing m- -■ what Mr/Attstey has liad to .say ;:i The UiW House about the inconvenience SU to farmers by lads being called /wav to camp at harvest --‘W, and puesire to say that we shaL use ever/endeavor to cause as little mconjvnienoe as possible, to anvxxiy, t m /I don’t suppose it is possiile to •i/id inflicting some hardships ers a individuals. Every grievance will J e considered. Mr Anstey complains -that- bovs have been taken aw a.* harvest-' and threshing time, but- we hold two camps in his district, ana it is unfortunate if at both of these times men are engaged. Me shall try -o arrange the camps for dates ~ suitable.”