A COMPLAINT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 47, 19 November 1907, Page 4

A COMPLAINT.

It Las been our pleasure on Beveral occasions to report favourably upon some branch or feature of tlie work of the Volunteers in New Zealand. As a body, they are entitled to the gratitude and esteem of the community for the personal self-sacrifice entailed in the efficient carrying out of their duties. The Volunteer forces constitute the backbone of our national system of defence, and upon their strength and efficiency depend the continuance of that system.' .It is, therefore, with considerable regret that we find ourselves compelled to refer to the allegations of unseemly behaviour on the part of a certain section of the Volunteers in uniform during the train journey to and from the Military Tournament at Palmerston North. It would appear, to judge from reports which have since been received, that some of the men were in a condition which was at oncc a disgrace to His Majesty's uniform, and an offence to the civilian passengers. It is painful to reflect that these allegations imply that the men in question appear to be quite incapable of realising the true significance of the uniform they wear. That uniform, in itself, stands as a guarantee for the peace, the honour, 'and the welfare of a nation. Upon the wearers thereof devolves, therefore, the duty of preserving, by their personal conduct, that uniform from degradation. Irreproachable demeanour can only follow as the result of a clear apprehension of all that a soldier's uniform implies. Volunteering, to some, is a serious business; to others it is a diversion. To all, however, its principles, aims, and ethics apply with equal force. We shall be glad to hear that the incident referred to will be investigated, and trust that inquiry -will elicit the fact that the circumstances surrounding it were less serious than were reported. No public organisation can afford to have its dignity degraded by the conduct of a few of its members. It is for officers commanding corps to see that the inner meaning of the King's uniform is grasped by their men, if the morale of the whole is to be raised and maintained.