MILITARY CHAPLAINS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1402, 30 March 1912, Page 8

MILITARY CHAPLAINS.

THEIR REPLY TO CRITICISM

(Dy Tdeirrarh.-S.neci.il CorreSDondenU Christchurch, March 20. Tho memo of Colonel Hell im the subject of Territorial chaplains has been discussed a good deal locally. /The Ifev. (.'. H. Laws (Methodist) said Colonel Bell's memo, seemed to him to contain an extraordinary indictment against the work of the chaplains in tho Uaikato Regiment, The Kev. \\\ S. Bean (Anglican), who is a chaplain of mniiv years' standing, and who holds tin; Turtle of clinplaiii-lieiilennnl-cnlor.ol, faiil lie would prefer not to say anything for publication on the matter. He would, however, allow his nineteen years' forvicc as chaplain of ll'.o engineers to speak for itself by way of nn-iwer to the criticisms niaiio by Colonel Bell.

The Kev. ,1. MacKonzie (Presbyterian) said ho agreed in tho main with what Colonel Bell said about tho obsolete, methods of chaplains, and recognised that there was much room for improvement. Tho Territorial scheme was, however, new, and it was as yet too early ill tho day to give an opinion on how things would turn out.

The Kev. H. D. Burton, of St. Michael's 'Anglican) said: "I am a chaplain, and have been one for a great number of years, both at Homo and out in South Africa during tlio war, and naturally I can sp-jik of what a chaplain's work was in those countries, though not out here. I may say, however, that what has struck mo very much here is that the chaplains in Now Zealand are handicapped by reason of the fact that they are parochial clergy, and generally single-handei ami consequently cannot leave their parishes. These, camps are mostly, for instance, held about Easter, and those of us who have parishes to look after cannot get away, as we have work to do. You cannot expect the clergy to be in,two places at once. At Home, on the. other hand, there are regular chaplains attached to brigades or other divisions of tho .Army, and they have nothing to do except look after the soldiers. Then, also, I should ajrreo with a good deal of what Colonel Bell says as to a great number of chaplains being unfitted for the work as regards England, but I.can't say anything about that in regard to New Zealand. I agree that thore is great work to bo done, and I agreo with what ho says about amusements and about places of entertainment in the evenings, whero everything is well conducted, but I would point out that wo are doing that. The Church of England lien's Society has such a place fitted tip in tho camp at Orarj, and it is doing excellent work, and is crowded every night. We nro also undertaking all postal arrangements." v

THE REV. J. A. LUXFORD'S VIEWS. (By Telegraph— Special Correspondent.)

Wanganui, March 29. Interviewed to-day on tho subject of Colonel Bell's remarks regarding military chaplains, (ho Key. J. A. Luxford, of trinity Methodist Church, "Wanganui, who holds tho position of chaplain-major in_ the New Zealand Territorial Forces, said Colonel Bell was one of those officers who loved notoriety, and whose utterances were not taken seriously. "It is well known," ho continued, "that there are officers in the Dominion who would like to see the chaplain disrated and abolished. His presence is sometimes very irksome to some officers. Fortunately tho Commandant and tho majority of responsible officers favour his retention. If there is one thing more than another that would cause parents to protest.against tneir lads attending camp and add to the unpopularity of camp life, it would be the withdrawal of the chaplain. Colonel Ecll has indiscreetly made a statement that would be used by thousands of parents as another reason for protesting against ecmpulsorv training in camp. Why, they will s:\y, the commanding officers object to the prusenco ■of a clergyman. Something is wrong when his presence is uncongenial." Mr. Luxford went on to say: "At last Methodist Conference I was surprised' to hoar from laymen and ministers of the bitter opposition many parents had to exposing their lads to temptations that are commonly, but erroneously, attributed to our camp life. I did all I could at the conference .to show that there was a strong determination on tho part of the Commandant to regard tho moral welfare of tho lads, Tho Government and the Commandant may Well say after reading Colonel Bell's sneer about useless excrescences, 'Save us from our friends.' My own opinion is that chaplains who do not attend camp, except for valid reason, should be disrated. Colonel Hell is speaking as if he were referring to a, volunteer company where the officer in command had supremo power. He forgets that tho Territorials are an army in which thousands of Christian homes are represented." Speaking for himself, Mr. Luxford said ho intended to attend eamp3 when practicable to watch the moral interests of the lads—work quite, as important as that of any other officer in the camp.

' The reference in the Auckland telegram yesterday to Colonel Bell's connec■tion with the Wnikato Regiment and his memorandum relating to the chaplains is a little puzzling in view of the fact ■that he no longer hold? commissioned rank in the New Zealand Military' Forces. He was formerly commanding officer of the Waikato Regiment, but is now' a civilian, with no claim to military rank.