I move amendment No. 184:—
To delete paragraphs (b) and (c) and substitute " (b) if a man discharge from the Defence Forces ".
This is the same principle, but with this exception. The section provides that an officer may be sentenced to be dismissed and, in my view, the equivalent punishment for a soldier should be dischage—instead of imprisonment or detention.
We made some reductions in this as compared to the 1923 Act. For instance, there is the 90 days' detention mentioned in paragraph (c), which was six months in the 1923 Act. The Deputy will agree that discharge is not necessarily so serious a punishment for a man as dismissal is for an officer. Discharge is not a punishment which could be applied in active service conditions and there must be something more serious than that.
I recognise the value of what the Minister says and will not press the amendment.
We discussed the principle of amendment No. 187 before. I think the maximum punishment is too high, but will not press it if the Minister will not accept.
I think " any lesser punishment " covers it.
