STRAIGHT TALK.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 934, 29 September 1910, Page 4

STRAIGHT TALK.

CONCERNING THE "DOMINION . SCOUTS." Some straight - talk on the subject', of soldiering was indulged in by Lieutenant Hastings, : ivho at present is in actingcommand of the corps o{ Dominion Scouts,, at the annual reunion of the corps last evening. The Dominion Scouts have lived in the* limelight practically since their formation as a corps some two years/ago, various incidents connected with their career having attracted the attention of the public. .to the work of the corps ill the past, Lieutenant Hastings declared that some of those who had enrolled appeared to have been inspired by the idea that the Government would provide them with, horses—that was the sole attraction the corps possessed for them. It was' perfectly conceivable; he went on, that had . the Government provided horses they would have clamoured. for grooms. . There were, he continued, about 25 in this coterie. They would not ; attend parades, and they would not do this, that and the other thing. One man, when reprimanded for his. casual attendance' at paraded, replied that he did not mind turningout for.a, ceremonial, but he had no .need to turn: out ■ for. instructional parades, as he had seen active service. Yet: that particular individual, was unable to perform the simplest and most 'elementary manoeuvre or■■■ rifle exercise with any degree' of satisfaction. . Others had only joined in the horie of'"getting a job," on the strength •ol their volunteering. : Continuing,, the speaker - said that, when,. owing ... to certain ' circumstances, he'was called upon to take charged of.'the' oorns, he. made: uo his mind to reorganise. the company. He did so, and was, glad to say that the corps was now in. a fair. way to becoming a: strong . unit. Reoruits were offering .freely,'and . they' were of the right stamp. . ',