AFTER THE EVENT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2702, 23 February 1916, Page 7

AFTER THE EVENT

WHAT THE " REAL SOLDIER THOUGHT ABOUT IT

All the trouble was for the sake of 4J- liours, extra drill per week, which the men in camp wero asked to do in order to got fit for the front, and for the assistance of their brave, worn-out comrades in the trendies. Under the old syllabus the men drilled for 36 houi'B pel' week. Under tlio new syllabus, tho result of Inspector-General M'Cay's recent examination of the whole of the training system throughout tho Commonwealth, the training time was extended slightly each day, and totalled 40J hours iier week. The Australian soldier is tho b'est paid, best fed. and best equipped soldier in the world, yet these men object to work for 40J hours I per week. In this connection tho opinion of a large number of returned soldiers was much to the point. At the Soldiers' Club in tho afternoon there foregathered many of our returned heroes. They n«?r© there with their medals and their ribbons—and their crutches. Several bodies of men who tried to take possession of the city passod. It was really refreshing to hear some of the war-scarred heroes swear. "That's the class of soldier who clears for his life at the sound of tho first shell," said one._ "Growling at seven hours a day," said anotlior. "Wo worked 14 flrid 16 hours a day, with full packs and rifles for those ." There were many mors expressions of opinion of that type. But the best evidence of the attitude of the returned soldiers is bupplied by tlio State Commandant, who said: "A .very pleasing incident of to-day's trouble was an offer made by 250 returned soldiers, who placed tliemsolves i at the disposal of the military authorities. 'J'liey explained that they were disgusted at the behaviour of the men, who ought to be training to help those at the front, and who apparently have not realised what the obligations of a soldier arCj,or that this is a time of war." "Tho Minister will not deviate," went on Colonel Ramaoiotti, "from the syllabus laid down. That syllabus lias been compiled by the highest military authority in Australia, with a view to meeting the necessity of having men trained with tho least possible delay."

PAYING THE PIPER RIOTERS BEFORE THE COURT. Over 30 of the rioters appeared in tho Police Court next morning, and wero summarily—and severely—dealt with, fines ranging up to £5, with terms of imprisonment up to three months, and various bills to pay for damage to property, being handed out by the Magistrate.