THEIR COUNTRY'S CALL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1311, 14 December 1911, Page 4

THEIR COUNTRY'S CALL.

GENERAL GODLEV AT WANGANUICOLLEGE. (By Teleeraph—Special CorreßDondcnt.l Wanganui, December 13. Officiating at the annual prize-giving at ATanganui Collegiate School, General Goilley made a fine speech on the value of discipline. After expressing his warm approval of the college cadets, whom he had inspected tho previous day, General Godley said ho had been very pln.d to meet those cadets, for under 'iue new gehenic of military training ho looked to those boys, clan's with those of other schools, tr be tho backbone of the future citvien army. General Godley continiKAi ;—

A word about discipline. It is the best kind of individuality. People think a man has only to tnko up a rifle, and that unorganised effort will defend his country, but experience will show that this is not so. Military discipline is based on school discipline, and esprit-dc-corps and comradeship are the great factors which go to make up an efficient force. Boys, you have great responsibility in the new citizen army and a great example to live up to. The roll of honour in the hall shows that 85 boys went to South Africa, several of whom lost their lives there. Some arc still in the permanent forces, and wo want more. I want to sec the boys do (heir best, and make it certain that the Wanganui Cadet Corps should set an example to all others. You boys who are now going into tho world as lawyers, doctors, etc., will later on be found in tho ranks of the artillery, engineers, and town corps. The back-blocks will provido us with mounted men, but, remember, you should bo as proud of your battery or regiment as you are of having been at Wanganui Collejso. Yon can all do your share. You will not all have the luck to be soldiers 365 days in tho year, but remember, that whatever your rank and ho.wever few days in tho year it may be, you have tho honour of wearing the King's uniform in camp, you will renew school friendships and old acquaintances. You can all make your impression felt in Ihc new army, and set an example of selfrestraint, good fellowship, and obedience to authority and self-sacrifice for the good of your country." lie impressed his hearers with the necessity for loyalty to their superiors, and drew an object-lesson from the American Civil "War, quoting tho life of Stonewall Jackson as pictured in "Tho Long Roll" (Mary Johnston), which, ho paid, ranked os a wonderful example of what oould bo done bv a. citizen army. General Godley concluded:

"Lawyers, doctors, farmors, and business men will vie with one another to play the game, and if the evil day comes and we have to defend our country, (his grand little bit of the Empire will do its part. If 1 am hero I shall look to Wnnganui College boys as the stoutest fighters, and if 1 am in any other part of tire Empire, I shall expect to hear that Wanganui boys were foremost in doing their duty to their Kimj and country. What I want to say to you in conclusion is, that you must not wait till that day. Your country wants you now to set an example of 'cheerfully undergoing that unll and training by which only von can be prepared to meet the day of {rial."