A BANTAM BRIGADE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2902, 14 October 1916, Page 11

A BANTAM BRIGADE

WHY NOT ONE:FROM NEW ZEAifAND ?.: When a medical officer 'goes 'to e'x- . amine a man who enlists i'or active service, one of. thßftirst;'-tbiiigs he does ~.(unless^^ i ''is':lphvib'jisl,yrih(it necessary) is ib Jie.ight:"TJle' *?-Gg'ula-, lotions loft-' " ;2inisiifTli,eigh'f in'.,his"/bare ieetii That;under 'circumstances, a 'correspondent urges',would, seem to be a reasonable minimum height for a soldier. But, he.iadds, is it? The time has gone by for-the scarlet"liunic, the gold-braided officer, the flashing epaulets, and be-feathered cocked hat. The ■great "bearskin" of the old Guards, and the helmets of the City llifles are known no more. All military frills have been literally blotted out. The glory of "big men soldiers," too, has departed. , Trench fighting has made the "six-i'oot-two" man an undesirable in the front lino trenches; indeed, when- ■ ever trenches have to be constructed .for that extra three "or four or five or six 'inches in height over the standard (whatever it might be) makes all the 'difference in the creation of reasonable 'protection. The big man boics well on parade, and shows to best advantage perhaps in the drab undressy khaki, but when it comes to actual work .it is extremely doubtful if he is quite as effective as the well-trained little man. The latter occupies less space, presents, a smaller target to the enemy, is usually quicker in his movements, and a? often as not is no end of a fighter. Then' why not a' bantam brigade from New .Zealand! 1 Say men between 4ft. lOin. and.ol't. 2in. One of the. gentlemen who was connected with the Recruiting Office at the Town Hall for nigh on a year, says that very frequently sturdy little men, of immense brawn and muscle, were turned down on.;stating their height at under fift. 2in.j'a question only asked, -of course, when .the matter of, height was in • 'doubt; Some''of- these . little 1 m^ii' could eat. some of .the lanky, slab-sided, youths who were readily, accepted: . At Home a Bantam Brigade has done-ex-cellent work at the front. Why should Jvew Zealand not'raise a Bantam Battalion now that the appeal for men is : so urgent and insistent?