The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1915. THE EIGHTH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 65, 16 November 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1915. THE EIGHTH.

The Chief of the Genera! Stall', in the farewell advice to the Eighth Reinforcements at Tientham the other day said: "Get to the firing line. Don't fall out by the way. Don't get into hospital; hospitals are for the men who have been wounded—not for the men who are sick through their own fault." Wellington .Evening Post, referring to the Chief's speech as one of terseness and plain sense, goes on to say: On these great days the men have no "namby-pamby" homily; it is frank advice, from a soldier, and they are assured that unfitness caused by a man's own fault can be very dishonorable, because such a one can become a hindrance instead of a help to 1 his comrades. Such a one may fail at a crucial moment, and a number of men may suffer for one man's weakness at a time when. strength is urgently needed. We have no doubt that the men of the Eighth will keep their bodies and minds lit for the very hard work of war—the work' which tests men and sifts the strong from the weak as nothing else does. The discipline and general conduct of these soldiers has been highly praised; very pleasant memories of them will remain in Wellington. They have applied themselves earnestly to the serious affairs of war. and the result is that they have made remarkable progress in the shortened period of training. Happily, the weather has been favorable, and the health of the men has been excellent. The sourest"pessimist, the most incorrigible grumbler, would find a difficulty in making a grievance (worth hearing-) against the Trentham of to-day. Citizens 'who have seen these, soldiers, in and out of the camp, have one principal impression .above others--it is the cheerfulness of soldiers who are ready to risk life for their country. The brightness and broeziness of these men are in striking contrast with the dismalness and doitrness of sundry civilians who fear merely for their pockets by reason of tinwar's disturbance of the world. These young faces, happy in the great decision, glad to dare all for the Empire, are a reproach to every cold calculator of "the main chance," and they should prick and sting the conscience of every young man who is still sceptical about his country's need of him. The confident, untroubled faces of the soldiers are the pride of Xew Zealand, and they should be an inspiration, an irresistible recruiting influence among young men who tend ,to,lose themselves in mists and mazes of hesitation.