TAKAPAU CAMP

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2150, 16 May 1914, Page 6

TAKAPAU CAMP

OFFICERS & MEN PRAISED

BY METHODIST CHAPLAIN (By Telegraph,— P-rejs AS9oc-ie.tion.) Auckland, May 15. The conduct of the- men who were assembled in tho mihta-ry camp at Tttka})an was discussed to-day by tiro Kev. J . A. liuxford, senior chaplain of the lUeth.odist Church. With'tho exception oi' a critical reference to. some or tho subalterns, Mr. Luxferd warmly jrfaised both officers and men, expressing the opinion that tho camp was the best conducted that ho had attended. Mr. Lasford said lie had a wido experience of military camps, for ho had not only attended seven or eight in New Zealand including that at Mringi last yesf, but ho had also been associated with men oil active service while acting as «ha-p----liiiit to tho Tenth Contingent in South Africa. "I consider fho Ta-kapau Camp compares favourably with any otlwr in which 1 have been," he declared. "Thero wqs less bad language, the men were respectful and the officers dM all in their power to make tho conditions easy for tho men."

Th© statements made by the Mev. Mr. Boys in an article in tlie "Manatvatu Standard" were reviewed, Sir.' Lusford 'explaining that tho author of. the article was associated with him ns a. junior chaplain. Mf. Liisford said ho considered BoUclusions had been drawn from the article which ho was bums' were neither warranted by it, flpr intended by Mr. Boys. "The artieje js.net n, wholesale denunciation of tho camp-," he remarked. "Thtt criticism of the lißperial 'i'oiniuy' is TOifortvuiato, Li my opinion tlio Imperial non-eominissimiod officCßS -who are «n tho p6rman.o.rtt s-t-aff arc a valuable as-set to the Defence Department. They a-fe iudefatigaWo in their attentions to the- mert, courteous in thoir behaviour, and are a credit to tlieir Imperial-regiments. I Tmte ■always found them ansbus to carry out th&ir duties ct.jditablj."

A Section of the Subalterns, "On the tither hand, I consider Mr. Boys's-reference" to a section of the subalterns is. warranted. While a number of them ato'-fino yeffing fellows there arc some who are inoSperiencoid and superficial, and shorn to think that the Tectorial system exists for their . benefitonly, i'iioy should bo ra<sre guarded in their expressions about censoring the Press. If they'are not amenable to discipline after dark, how can tho'wttariiies ■c-speet'the motto be quiet in eani.p after tho-order 'Lights - out'? • "Unwise and Uhsenwous."

"The reference to General Godiey was also unwise and ungenerous/'-Mr. I/uxford continued. "I regard General Bod:ley as a typical English gentleman from the crown of Ms head.to the,soles of his feet. Chaplains cetild net-have, a better friend. Every facility has been- pfovid■fid by him so that they may discharge their duties efficiently. Colonel Ohaytor, Officer Commanding the Brigade, also went out; of his way to he ; ln the chaplains.. Tke general staff aiid the camnianding officers left no stojio aiiturned to assist the representatives of the churches in their work. We cannot expect military camps to be liko Bible class camps. , .'' . . They contain all sorts, and the good element predominates largely over the bad. Inm proud of our NW Zealand young men, and although • there, are few exceptions it is no worse than apostlesMp which eoii-' tains a Judos, and we a.ws not going to .judgo them all.by.the betrayer,"