CAMP TRAINING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1785, 25 June 1913, Page 8

CAMP TRAINING.

CHAPLAINS' OPINIONS. THE INFLUENCE FOR GOOD? Tho Hon. James Allen, Minister for Defence, received a letter recently in which tho writer challenged tho Minister's statement that military training was doing good to tho youth of tho Dominion. It did not appear that tho correspondent had any conscientious objection to military training. His main contention was rather that tho men wero drilled on Sundays in camps, and that this being, as ho alleged, desecration of the Sabbatu, must have a bad iniluence 011 tho Territorials. Mr. Allen lias dispatched tho following reply to tho letter:—

"I can only repeat to you what I liavo already said in public, that I look upon tho national training of young men as an lnlluenco for good botn mentally and morally. I have just road through tho fourth report of tho Chaplain of tho Now Zealand Forces, ono who has been conducting tho regimental institutions, ajid 1 am suro if you read it you will agrco with mo that tho representatives of Uia various churches aro having a real and a very good influence upon the young men who aro going into these camps. I quoto you a few extracts from tho report: 'By the work in previous camps wo seem to liavo won tho confidence of tho men, and this is proved by the way in which our institutions were crowded night after night.' It was necessary to hold some of tho camps during Easter, and according to the same report I find that 'on Good Friday wo held a celebration of Holy Communion, and in the evening a service. Each morning wo conducted prayers from the 10th Battalion of Infantry, tho Signalling Column, and tho Infantry Ambulance Co. ... On Sunday w - o held celebration of Holy Communion, service at 11 o'clock in the morning, and lantern evensong at G p.m.' Referring to what tho institution, had done, tho Chaplain says: "In this and other ways wo can show that the Church is prepared to work, whenever and whereever tho opportunities arise. . : During tho timo we wero at the Waitati camp wo conducted tho parado services on Sunday morning, ami evensong by means of tho magic lantern, and prayers each morning according to regulation.' . . . At one oamp it was snowing upon arrival, and the report goes 011 to say: 'This mqdo military work almost impossible, and tho clmplain took chargo of the men nearly all day, and for seven hours, at periods, kept things going with music, song, story, and recitation.' In conclusion, tho chaplain says: 'This ended another season's work amongst our Territorials, and it included attendance at six camps, 72 days nndcr canvas for tho chaplain, and work amongst over SGOO men.' "Referring to the work of the Church of England Mission Society amongst tho men, the chaplain says that 'this is our way of doing our duty amongst those who are called upon to traini for their own welfare ond their country's defenco. . . . I think tho parents of the young men who go into camp should also recognise tho work by which their- lads aTO entertained, advised, helped, and looked after in many ways.'

"I also quote you tho following report from one of, tho newspapers of an interview with tho Rev. H. Purchas, tho chaplain who attended the Yaldhurst Camp throughout the wholo time: 'I notice a general improvement in tho moral tone of this camp as compared with that of last year at Templeton. In last year's camp I noticed a great improvement in this respect over the previous camps held under tho volunteer system. I ascribe a good deal of this improvement of tho work done to the Y.M.O.A. and C.E.M.S., which exert 9 a powerful though unconsoious influence on the lives of tho men. Tho men in charge of the tents of these bodies aro a potent factor for good, as they are generally of tho type of athleticChristiaus that inspire respect. The Territorials are splendid fellows to work amongst, and their appreciation of any--0110 who will tako an interest' in their sports and pastimes is great. Judging by ; tlie improvement in the moral tone of successive camps, I can only concludo that military training and discipline are strengthen ers of characters and incentives to clean living and speaking, especially when they aro systematised as tliey are under the provisions of tho'Defenco'Act.' "From the above quotations, I think you will realise that the ideas wo have aro being carried out. I know from my own knowledge that good influences hav9 been brought to bear upon many young men in tho camps, and I hope this will continue."