SUNDAY CAMPS AND CANTEENS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 93, 8 April 1908, Page 2

SUNDAY CAMPS AND CANTEENS

Per Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The question of Sunday camps and the controversy on the canteen system was referred to by Conolel Wolfe, O-C, in; the course of a conversation with a Star representative this morning. "Personal ty speaking, I see no reason why canteens should be. allowed in volunteer camps," said the officer commanding, "and there will certainly be no canteen in the Easter encampment which commences next week. I have nothing in particular to say against the canteen. It is just that 1 do not regard it as necessary. If countenanced, it is my opinion that the privilege would not be abused, but we are better off without it. The last canteen we had was in 1898, and the men showed such a small desire to partake of the inducements offered I'that the licensee in charge of the booth lost money over it. The men have not | asked for a canteen, and we are not going to have it in this district." Referring to the ecclesiastical strictures passed on the practice followed tyhile in camp, of Sunday drill, Colonel Wolfe said he could quite understand that the clergy were naturally zealous in their desire to, maintain the sanctity of the Sabbath, but he thought there were times wiien they might very well devote their attention to matters more within their own domain. The officers in charge could be relied upon to see that there was not desecration of the Sabbath. "We invariably have Church parade" said the Colonel, "and every man in camp is compelled to attend. I think t might reasonably point out that many are thus compelled to attend divine service who never saw inside a church when oft duty. Again, it far better to have men perfecting themselves in drill and d.sciplme than to have them picnicZrSr* or foIIOWiB s »°™ «>«»»