THE TAKAPAU CAMP.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 20, 15 May 1914, Page 4

THE TAKAPAU CAMP.

Discussing generally the recent military camp at Tukapau and the many criticisms, wise and otherwise, thereon, the Wellington “Dominion” says: —There is no doubt that the question of Sunday in camp is a difficult one. Opinions will differ very strongly regarding Sunday football, for instance, but the attempt that has been made to establish connection between the football match and the recent camp disturbance is far-fetched and quite unconvincing. Most of us are likely to see just what wo look for, and it requires groat care and determination to prevent our preconceived ideas from influencing our judgment. Critics should always be on their guard against the tendency to base their conclusions upon a selection of facts wnich may support some favored point of view instead of upon the whole of the facts available, and this tendency is observable in Mr Boys’s statement. Its main faults are its one-sidedness and its want of balance. Much of what he states is. probably quite justifiable ; but he does not draw a complete picture in which the light and shade are fairly distributed. Most of the facts mentioned by Mr Boys may be quite accurate as far as they go, and yet the effect of his criticism as a whole be quite misleading. One of the Anglican chaplains (the Rev W. H. Walton) tells a very different story. . Ho states that “the general tone of the whole camp was such as to show that the Territorial system is beginning to effect a good influence and discipline amongst our young men,” and Mr Walton’s favorable opinion is supported by Ensign Garner, who was in charge of the Salvation Army’s marquee. No one pretends that the camp was entirely free from bad language, and everyone will agree that swearing is a senseless and objectionable habit, but it would be ridiculous to contend that military training and camp life are responsible for its prevalence in the community.