THE TAKAPAU CAMP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 18, 13 May 1914, Page 4

THE TAKAPAU CAMP.

"Just at the present time," remarked General Sir lan Hamilton, -When responding to a civic welcome at Cambridge, "the public here in New Zealand is interested in what I might describe as a sensational incident connected with the Takapau camp. The little trouble in that camp has, I admit, a distinctly serious aspect. You know the old song about 'Merrily Danced the Quaker's Wife.' Well, since the account of that incident lias been cabled Home our good Quaker friends have merrily danced. We don't grudge it, though, because the Quakers have, conscientious objections to military training. They may dance 'Gaby Glide' or the 'Turkey Trot' about it if they like, because it does not particularly matter, hut there is a more sinister significance behind the incident. There are people who are not our friends who rejoice when they hear anything which they think is a sign of military weakness. Having touched upon the mora] side of the question I would tell you—and I would not do so if I did not thoroughly believe and feel it— that the matter is really trivial. A lot of young boys, half-larking and half-uncomfortable, made a bit of a ruction. Your military system has been going such a short time that some links in the ordinary disciplinary chain are not so strong as they will bo in a couple of years' time when such things will not appear at all. I am really glad to have the ' opportunity of expressing my opinion publicly. One must always remember that .when such an incident occurs in New Zealand the news of it flies far and wide over the world. It is not worth while to allow such an incident to be flying over the world: These boys at Takapau are as nice a lot of boys as one would like to see. They are good-tempered, and they did a hard day's work next day, just after the trouble. They are really good fellows," he concluded, amidtt loud applause.