MILITARY CAMPS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1926, Page 4

MILITARY CAMPS

CHURCH AND COMPULSION. DUNEDIN, September 27. In a Press Association telegram from Auclkanil on Tuesday it was stated that the Council of Christian Churches had passed resolutions, deprecating the suggestion by the officer in charge ol the • Northern Military Command that hoys of eighteen years of age should undergo three months’ military training in camp, and asserting that volunteer should he substituted for compulsory training. The Rev I). C. Herron 'said that the council's objection was based on three points, first that the lengthened training would t od to develop a military outlook at the time when there was a special need of peace ; second, it would he a strain on the hoys' morality; and third, it would be regarded by the League ol Nations as an unfriendly act. Dr Alerriugtoii, speaking as a chaplain who goes in to camp with the troops, said that lie was not.in favour of any extension of the term ol military camps in view of the dangers to characters of some youths, who were easily influenced hv temptation, and also considering the tendencies towards peace which exist in the world to-day. He thought that there should he a gradual reduction in the period ot military training. No doubt sonic benefits resulted from drill and discipline'. hut there was also evidence of considerable danger in camp lile on a large scale. In a properly-conducted and ‘dry” camp these points were very slight, but in view of the desire of tile world for peace and arbitration in place of war, he thought New Zealand should aim at transforming military exercises into team work, drill, and physical culture as a peaceable contribution to the progress of the world. AYliilo defence was ever to bo considered, and was infinitely preferable to aggression, there was a danger of glorifying the military calling to the detriment of the growth of public opinion in favour of peace and the League of Nations. Invited to give his views on the matter. Major .Jeffrey, Officer Commanding the Mounted Rifle, Regiment, said lie was surprised Mr Heron should take up such an altitude. The more a mail learned of the horrors of warfare the more he would slum war. The statement regarding the immorality of camps was a reflection on those controlling the camps as the need for cleanliness was impressed on all commanders. On the other hand camp life and physical training in the open air would set the hoys up lor life, and tend to make them healthier in every way. In regard to the volunteer system, he said the man Aviso would not volunteer would not derive very much benefit from the training received in the Territorials. Colonel 11. E. Barowc-lough. commanding the Infantry Regiment, spoke in much the same strain, saying that it was quite wrong to infer that all Territorial camps were “ sinks of iniquity.” The moral character of the troops was not in any way harmed. Of course troops in camp were not saints, hut ihey were not as had as some pcnnle imagined them to be. A resolution urging a return to the volunteer system was ridiculous. Under the old system it would be impossible to put an efficient lighting force in the field c.L short notice.