IN PRAISE OF TAKAPAU.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 21, 16 May 1914, Page 3

IN PRAISE OF TAKAPAU.

ANOTHER CHAPLAIN'S VIEW. [Pan Pbebo Association.] Auckland-, May 16. The .conduct of the men who were assembled in the; military camp at Takapau was discussed to-day by the Rev. .1. A. Luxford, stMiiur chaplain .if the Methodist Church. With the exception of a critical -'reference to soine of the subalterns, the Rev. Luxioi'd warmly praised both officers and men, expressing the opinion that the camp was the best conducted that he had attended. Rev. Luxford said he had had a wide experience of -military camps, for he had not only attended seven or eight in New Zealand, including that at Oringi last year, but he had also been associated with men on active service while acting as chaplain to the Tenth Contingent in South Africa. "i consider the Takapau cam]) compares favorably with any other in which I have been,' 5 • he declared, f'There was less bad language, the men were respectful, and the officers did all in their power to make conditions easy for the men." Statements made by the Rev. Boyes in an article in the Manawatu Standard were reviewed by Mr Luxford, explaining that the author of the article was associated with him, as junior chaplain: Mr Luxt'ord said he considered that conclusions had been drawn from the article which he was sure were neither warranted by it nor intended by Mr Boyes. "The article is not a wholesale denunciation of the camp," he remarked. "The criticism of the 'lmperial Tommy' is unfortunate. In my opinion the Imperial noncommissioned officers who are on the permanent, staff are a valuable asset to the Defence Department. They arc indefatigable in their attentions to the men, courteous in their behaviour., and are a credit to their Imperial regiments. In my experience I have alw:vys found them anxious to carry out their duties creditably, (j.i the other hand, I consider Mr Boyes' reference to a section of the subalterns warranted. While a number of them are lino fellows, there are soma who are inexperienced, superficial; and seem to think that the Ten itorial system exists for their benefit only. They should be more guarded in their expressions about censoring the Press. If they are not amenable to discipline after , dark, how can' tho authorities expect the men to bo quiet in camp alter the order "lights out!""

"The reference to General Godley ,was also unwise and ungenerous," Mr Luxford continued. "I regard General Grodloy as a typical English gentleman, from the crown'of his head to the sole of hip, feet: Thb. chaplains* =could not have a better friend. Every facility has been provided by him, so that they may discharge their duties efficiently. .Colonel Chaytor, the officer commanding the Brigade, also went out of his way to help tho chaplains. The general staff and commanding officers left no stone unturned to assist the representatives of the churches in their work. We cannot expect military camps to lie like Bible Class camps. Like a) certain sheet in the Apos,tolic vision, they contain all sorts, and the good element predominates largely over the bad. J am proud of our New Zealand young men, and although there are a few exceptions, it is no worse than tho Apostleship, which contained a Judas, and we are not going to judge them all by the betrayer." , I