"ARM CHAIR CRITICS"

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2148, 14 May 1914, Page 6

"ARM CHAIR CRITICS"

. » THE TAKAPAU CAMP FIFTH REGIMENT CHAPLAIN'S IMPRESSIONS " OUTSPOKEN REPLY TO "UNFAIR CRITICISM." The Rev. W. H. Walton, curate at St. Thomas's, Wellington, and Chaplain to the Fifth Wellington Regiment, had charge of the Church of England marquees, during the encampment at takapau. He dissociates himself entirely from the condemnatory criticism which has been voiced by the. Rev. W. Boys, of Falmerston North, of tlio discipline and language at the camp. "Tlio general tone of the whole camp," said Mr. Walton to a representative of The Domixiox yesterday, "was such as to show that the Territorial system is beginning to effect a good influence and discipline amongst our young men which none can deny is eadly needed. The camp is sure to be the subject of •criticism, even if the officers were perfect. Our boys don't, want to be feather-bed soldier*, and it speaks well for them that, in spite of the atrocious weather, they kept so very cheerful and lively. The remarks made by Mr. Boys with reference to General Godley '"were totally uncalled for. Mr. Boys forgets that General Godley is an old campaigner, who has put up with far greater discomforts than probably our Territorials will ever have to. Various opinions have been expressed about the- football match on Sunday afternoon, and its connection with the disturbance in camp. ■ I venture to say, in my opinion." that the game had nothing, to do with the riot which took place in the evoning. More than.likely the troublo would have been worse if tlio football match had not. taken place and the men had not spent some of their superfluous energy." Language, Very" Alarming." "In reference to the use of bad language, I found that the boys were very willing to control their speech, and was very pleased at the absenco of bad language Naturally one would hear a certain amount in such a large camp, but it was nothing to get alarmed about. One can hear just as bad in many other places where euch a large "number of men are congregated. One: appreciated very much the respectful attitude which the fellows showed towards tho chap'lains. Tho Church of England had two largo marquees, which wero filled every night; in fact, the largo one was overcrowded on several occasions. In the large one the crowds were very well behaved, the boxing and wrestling contests which took place nightly, and the sport was as clp-iu as .niiyone could wish to see. At 9.15 ench evening wn called for order, and all hats came off whilst prayers 'wero said. Tlio concerts wore also thoroughly enjoyed, some splendid talent coming- forward. In -.he smaller marquee the boys wrote to their mothers, sisters, and other people's sistors, and we had the Post Office boxemptied daily. On an jivei-ngo about 100 letters were posted daily." Arm-chair Criticism. "As far as the Fifth Regiment was concerned a cleaner and more orderly sot of fellows one could not wish to meet, and Wellington parents need not fear to allow their lads to go into such a camp. Having spent twelve days thero I had full opportunity of seeing most of the work do'neV'"''-''Wc' );, doH'J 1 - want chaplains who aro only critics and lookers-on: Did Mr. Boys go out on tho march with tho men at ,all? .Did bo walk along in tlio evenings amongst the men, or did ho sit in the officers' mess most of the time? Armchair criticism is easy, but is not worth much. Tho Revs. Budd (Feilding) and Thompson (Mastorton), Brigadier Hoaro (Salvation' Army), and Mr. Ryan (Y.M.C.A.) will bear me out when 1 say that the spiritual work done in the camp was an inspiration and encouragement to the chaplains, and showed that a better understanding, between the young 'men and the clergy is springing up. But all this will bo spoiled if we have much of this carping criticism which is so unjust and uncalled for. "With reference to the parade on Sunday through the streets, surely we understand the reason for marching to the Garrison Hall. It is headquarters and the proper place for the orderly dismissal of the men. They are mostly dismissed at headquarters after camp, 'i and in this ease most of tho men had to leave their rifles and baggage at the Garrison Hall. The authorities," Mr Walton concluded, "did all in their power to help tho religious bodies, but I do not think that they will tolerate interference and unfair criticism from u few objectors." N . ANOTHER REPUDIATION. ■ ENSIGN GARNER'S STATEMENT. (By T«l«Eraph.—l're-e Association.) Dannevirke, May 13. Ensign Garner, who was in charge of the Salvation Army marquee at Takapau, warmly repudiates the allegations against tho conduct of Territorials in camp by the Rev. Mr. Boys, Methodist chaplain, I'almer.ston North. , Ensign Garner says that Mr. Boys was only a casual visitor to tho camp, and saw little of what went .on. The Salvation Army marquee was crowded evory night, and Ensign Garner says ho never heard . otic bad word or saw anything approaching horse-play. The men joined heartily in the half-hour services, and showed tho greatest respect and courtesy to the chaplains. The only bad language he heard was after lights were out. and then it was no worse than ho heard in the street in any town on a Saturday night. The football match on a Sunday was to he deplored, but the officers were not to blame for that. Ensign Garner is specially indignant at tho slur cast on tho Permanent men and Genero.l Godley. He says that ho was in a position to know the feelings of tho officers because he messed with them, and their attitude towards the Territorials was in every way sympathetic. General Godley only stayed at Takapau one- night, and Ensign Garner says he could riot have refused to share with Sir lan Hamilton the hospitality of Mr. Sydney Johnston; who had generouslv given the use of his estate for the Territorials' operations. Ensign Garner concluded by stating that he considered Mr. Boys's criticism uncalled for, and quite unworthy of a clergyman holding tho position of chaplain, . REPLY BY HON. JAS. ALLEN. DEFENDS THE NON-COMMIS-SIONED OFFICERS. Auckland, May 13. The Hon. .7. Allen, Minister of Defence, replying to the Rev. Mr. Boys's criticism of tlio Takapau camp, said that the English non-commissioned officers in New Zealand, so far as be (Mr. Allen) knew him, was an excellent man ; in fact, a great deal of tho good results achieved bad been duo to a great extent to the English non-commissioned officers. . Of course, there wore exceptions, but,. on tho whole, fhey wore really good fellows. Mr. Allen" admitted that tho young subaltern was v> problem. He ventured to think the young subalterns- would be spoken of very highly by Territorials, .and it was unreasonable to expect old men's beads on young men's shoulders. Every effort was being made b stop the use of bad language in camp.