INFLUENCE OF SPORT IN ENGLISH CAMPS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 23 May 1917, Page 3

INFLUENCE OF SPORT IN ENGLISH CAMPS.

If coining knowledge really casts its Shadow before, perhaps that shadow is speculative thought just now, writes Old Blue in the Sporting Life. I had the pleasure of revisiting many of England’s leading military camps within lity was afforded one for careful observe last week or so, and as every facivation, some of my impressions may interest readers. I was driven iiicsistibIv to the conclusion tl"'-' England has now rendered herself impregnable. Our Home Defence Army has attained a point of efficiency that v, 0,.c! make the invasion of this country an uttei and absolute folly, ending iue-itably in the rout of the invader, whether ho came by sea or air. Our latest fighting men have their name and fame to make, and strongly desire to make it. They are men of the right sort—those who do not grasp at a novelty and a uniform. Those who do not )■ new England, and therefore its national characteristics, would doubtless find the sporting side of the New Army i s salient feature. They would be quickly convinced that games of all sorts appeal irresistibly to officers and men alike. The common speech is full of • xpressions drawn from spoiling sources. A good many seem to even think in sporting metaphor, while the daily routine of life would appear to hinge upon some fancied relation to some form of sport or .he other. ‘ ‘ Miserable trifling for men preparing for war!” some of my readers may exclaim; but not so. This off-duty enthusiasm for sport is only another proof of the intensity of the passion which games inspire. Judged by general results, moreover, this drill-cum-sport curriculum has been invaluable. It was especially pleasing-to find the officers and men fiatomising daily in the sporting arenas. The excitement was intense when they were lighting out the finish of a cricket match, trying conclusions with the gloves, or contending for mastery at all-round athletics. And it is worthy of emphasis that, while absolute equality was observed in the various arenas, none of the “Tommies” ever presumed otherwise. It is curious, by the way, how vorv soon our soldiers sum up the character of their officers in this connection. Hay what some folk may, the officer in the now army, as in the old, who excels in sport also gains what is, after all, a valuable asset —the esteem and utter confidence of the men under him. If for nothing else, therefore. the Army’s sporting side is to be commended on this account, I returned absolutely convinced that England cun now look any possible danger squarely iu the face, and do as our fathers did before use, overcome it.

For the rest, [ am more convinced than ever before that, alter the v.u, all round sport will be resumed on a scale unprecedented even in this country. Opinions to the contrary now bein'? so freely expressed are so much idle chat. Devices now being engineered to, scotch sport are futile. Philosophy now being propounded in the torra of diatribes against muscular Christianity will wither up when faced with the volume of popular opinion. If any reader feels inclined to doubt this, let him do as I have done, and consult our soldiers —the backbone of the community. It is a supreme test.