A WRONG MOVE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 80, 11 April 1913, Page 4

A WRONG MOVE.

The announcement just made to the effect that the Defence Department proposes a general shuffling round of officers in charge of districts is one that wo cannot but view with considerable misgiving. For the officers themselves these changes may bo excellent, but those who have.the real welfare 'of the Territorial scheme at heart will realise that such changes may be quite the reverse of good so far as the rank and file of the regiments is concerned. It has to be remembered that it is a citizen army we are dealing with, and that the men who compose that army must be actuated largely by a spirit of patriotism and good fellowship. They cannot be expected—and are not wanted to bo as perfect in discipline or as mechanically obedient as the regular soldier, whose whole and sole occupation is military work. Hence it is most necessary that our Territorials should know their officers and feel full confidence in them. Since the scheme was inaugurated much has been done in the way of breaking down popular prejudice, and in creating that enthusiasm which is essential to the success of the scheme, and the credit for this is duo largely to the good work of the officers. They have got to know their men and their dis-‘ trict; they have succeeded in grasping local conditions, which essentially differ in the various military districts of the Dominion, and, by no means least of all, the men have got to know them. That, at anyrate, is the position so far as Taranaki is concerned, and though Captain Lampen may be very pleased at his promotion to the charge of the Nelson district, we think the Department will bo making a grave mistake in removing him, so far as the interests of the Xlfh 11 egiment are concerned. The knowledge of local conditions which

Captain Lampcn now possesses cannot he gained in a mouth or in a year, and to put some one in his place to begin all over again seems to us sheer folly. Of course, this applies equally in most instances to the other responsible officers it is proposed to transfer.