TERRITORIAL CAMPS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3537, 14 September 1926, Page 4

TERRITORIAL CAMPS.

GOOD MORAL EFFECTS,

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL BENEFITS.

“What is your experience of the moral effects upon the young manhood of this country by the aggregation of a thousand men between the ages of 18 and 21 for ten days in a territorial camp ” asked a Wanganui Herald representative of the Rev. T. Cox, who was the chaplain to the Ist Battalion of the Wellington West Coast Regiment at Trentham recently.

“That,” replied the Padre, “is the same question asked of me by His Excellency the Governor-General on battalion parade at the conclusion of his inspection of the troops. “Is this camp a sink of moral iniquity,” continued Sir Charles Fergusson, “as the statement of our critics would infer? What is your opinion?” The Padre replied that he gave as his considered judgment, for he acted in his present capacity regularly at military camps since 1912, that the young men benefit physically, mentally and morally by the camp life. It was amazing to see the smartening up of the men during their brief stay in camp, said the Padre. The battalion that marched out was infinitely a better one in morale as the result of the training than the one that marched in. Then association with a large number of comrades sharpens the wit and quickens the perception of the young

men. So far as the moral value of the camp is concerned, the Rev. Mr. Cox regarded it as a unique opportunity for strengthening the moral fibre of the men. Early in the camp they had organised a Bible Class Rally at which were gathered B.C. leaders, secretaries and members representing all the denominations from Wanganui, Marlon, Feilding, Levin, Otaki, Taihape, Ractihi, and Taumarunui. The meeting was addressed by Mr. Roy Brasted, National Y.M.C.A. Secretary; Mr. Vic. French, Trentham Y.M., and himself. At this,gathering a definite programme of B.CI. activity was arranged for the casual camp in January and next year’s camp at Trenthm, the programme to begin with a general meeting of all B.C. fellows on the first night in «imp • ‘ . After the Governor-eGneral s visit the Padre questioned these BC. men, especially the leaders and secretaries as to what had been their experience of the moral effects ot camps, and in every case the anAfter the Governor-General’s visFurther, concluded the Padre, it is a remarkable' thing that in the three nights of general leave, when between 500 and (500 men went into Wellington, the conduct of the men in town and in the trains was so exemplary that only one man had to be disciplined.