PLAY THE GAME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2744, 12 April 1916, Page 8

PLAY THE GAME

15th REINFORCEMENTS ADDRESS- j ED BY COLONEL POTTER.. The 15th ■ Reinforcements and 17th NXJ.O.'s, who have, been mobilised in Trentham Camp, were addressed by the Commandant (Lieut.-Col. H. R. Potter, N.Z.S.C.) yesterday. ' "Tho first thing I want to speak about," said Colonel Potter, "is a word which sounds very dreadful to. a civilian. I refer to discipline. Discipline, as I tako it, is simply the living force which turns a crowd of men into an army. It is absolutely necessary for the efficiency, safety, and comfort of concerned. Without it there would be nothing but chaos. Discipline is nothing H>ore nor loss than the soldierly spirit. That.is the better terra; I like it better. It is what we want to got" into you and when .you have got it, it will give you confidence not only in yourselves, but in your officers and n.cTo.'s.

"Fitnoss for war is the' only thing that counts, and we here try to train you for that fitness. We try to make you, both, in mind and'in body, fitter and niore able than - your adversary oil the field of baitle, and if you will'only pay strict attention to your work, and try to_,learn everything that is taught you will have ho need to fear to meet the enemy on any field on the ConIf you pay strict attention to everything; taught you here you will be able to take your place alongside the finest soldiers tho world has seen. Discipline simply means (that obedience must bo done cheerfully; you must obey with alacrity all orders issued by proper authority. "Now in this camp or in any other camp whore there are congregated thousands of men. there are certain laws which govern the health and Bani. fcation of the camp." These 1 want you particularly to observe, because you are only here for a very short period, and we do not want any man going sick, because if you are, sick for .any length_.of time you will loso your training with your particular 'Reinforcement. You will not ho sufficiently trained, .and, therefore, you will not bo able to go with your draft. Cleanliness' is notft to Godliness; I want you to practice that here, not only for yourselves but for the sake-of the Rein, fcrcements to which you belong, and for tho sake of your comrades at the front, Whom you are going to reinforce." He warned them to observe cleanliness, particularly in their hutments and throughout the camp, remarking that if they did 'so they would have no epidemics'. ' ''' , ■