IN CAMP-AND HAPPY

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12611, 23 November 1926, Page 3

IN CAMP-AND HAPPY

SPIRIT OF NATIONAL SERVICE MILITARY TRAINING POPULAR (Contributed.) We hear much about tlie evils of compulsory military training; but what do we hear in its favour? Wlmt do we hear of its actual value in building up, not only a skeleton of a force efficient to defend our shores but that spirit of manly and active service for the good of the nation, which is such a valuable asset? Unfortunately, v,e hear but little of the ether side of th** story, because those who are contcni seldom feel the call to write abou; their contentment And these “hotbeds of iniquity”--the territorial camps—what do we luar 'od sec in them ? Certainlv there i* not that gloomy picture to he painted, which, were wc to believe certnhi peaceabiv-minded and woll-mcaniug old gentlemen, is descriptive of all territorial camps. Judging by tlie appearance and the looks of the men of the Ist Battalion. Wellington Regiment—now in camp—at Trentham, there is no sense of the burden of militarism amongst the men. Indeed, to one who looks beneath the surface it is obvious that tlie training in camp is popular and that the men accept their duties and responsibilities with keenness and pleasure—even though the work be almost of a mcnia* nature. GOOD DISCIPLINE: GOOD CONDUCT As for the conduct of the men. u, should be realised that men under good discipline, well organised, and kept busy, have but little time for the conduct which has of late been so severely censured. Furthermore, the general character of a man’s conduct is influenced by the fifty-one other weeks in the year far more than by bis one week in a territorial camp. But we have said enough on this matter. Let us ask what is the reason for the happy air and brisk appearance of the men in camp? Is it iot the feeling that they are proud and glad to belong, for once in their lives, to a large organised body of men un ited for a common end? Is it not also that they feel —now that war’s aftermath is gradually waning—that they too have a heritage, a prestige to maintain—the prestige of the New Zealand Division —“second to none’’ (the words are Earl Haig’s) among the fighting divisions of the Army. If they do not think of this, then they probably do think of their own regiment, its old service and its battle honours. These are things which do net die, and their effect is abiding. If they produce such results, why should they not be fostered and why should military service not receive its full measure of credit in assisting to build up a good spirit of national service?