A WELL DISCIPLINED DRAFT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2929, 15 November 1916, Page 14

A WELL DISCIPLINED DRAFT

NINETEENTH REINFORCEMENTS

ADDRESS BY COLONEL GIBBON. . 'file Nineteenth Infantry Reinforce-' ments were addressed by the Chief of tho General Staff, Colonel C. M. Gibbon, at Trehtham ; on .Monday:'afternoon. Owing to the. threatening state of the weather, made evident by several flashes'of lightning aiicl peals of thunder, Colonel Gibbon's- address was, brief, and was chiefly-a criticism of the drafts' work while,in camp. The Chief of Staff said that the 19th and, 20th Mounted Rifles Reinforcements, who formed, part of the draft, had been through' a ■ long ' period of training with satisfactory results. Their shooting Jiad been good and their field work, especially that of the 20th, was much above the average. , •

"Again 1 regret that no artillery or engineers' reinforcements arc with the draft. I hope we ..shall soon be sending them again. The engineers' signallers are a good draft and well up to standard.

"The infantry," Colonel Gibbon said, "had done well while in camp, and the camp commandants.and the instructors had reported that the. draft was a good one to handle. That meant that they had discipline, both officers and men.. ;■

"I have only one fault to-find with the draft," Colonel Gibbon continued, "and that is its-.unusual liability to sickness at the end of extended leave. There was much too much of it, and I can't imagine that the weather was altogether the reason. Men ought, not to ask for an extension of leave without there being a.very grave reason. Tho fact that 300 men of this draft found it necessary to get a medical certificcte, is bad.. It, is! a big fault, and nob one to'laugh at." In musketry the; infantry had put up no records, but;, considering the rifles used and the bad weather in which tho course was fired, tho results were very good, indeed. y The machine-gunners were very good and received over 60 per cent, of'marks qualifying as first-class machine-gun-ners. The infantry signallers also did very well,

On the point of discipline Colonel Gibbon emphasised that it was most important that, troops should go to the front properly disciplined. This meant haying the.proper military spirit and knowledge, so that what 'was ordered to ho done would be done, promptly and without hesitation., At the front men's lives eonM not be playfld with, and breaches of discipline might involve very severe punishment.

Splendid renorts of the behaviour of the New Zealand troops in action had just been received. They had fought alongside British regiments and were considered to bo equal to the best men of tho British Army. He urged the draft to emulate this splendid example and wished them good luck in the .campaign.

"Try to remember what has been lauelit you ■ here," wore Col(,ncl Gibbon's concluding words, "especially in regard to .discipline. Dp 'your very best for the credit of tho whole Now Zealand Army."