THE CANADIAN CADETS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 148, 11 November 1912, Page 4

THE CANADIAN CADETS.

WELCOMED BY NEW PLYMOUTH!'

CHURCH PARADE.

A big gathering of citizens turned oufc to meet the Canadian Cadets, who arrived in town on Saturday niglit by the mail train. The boys were met at the station by the reception committee, and headed by the Taranaki Brass Band, were marched to the D.rill Hall, wher» they were accorded a civic reception by the Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne). In a short address, Mr. Browne extended a very hearty welcome to the boys, and dwelt upon the national importance of such a visit. He" expressed regret that their stay in the town was not going to be of a longer duration. In view of the fact that the Cadets had just come to the end of a wearisome journey from l'almerston North, the proceedings were commendably brief, and it was not long before the boys were handed over to the various citizens who had kindly undertaken to billet them during their short visit. Before leaving the hall each member of the corps was presented with an illustrated souvenir, descriptive of New Plymouth and its environs. Those residents who accommodated did more than billet them; they entertained them, and right royally nt that. Yesterday morning many of ,I'ie boys were to be seen flying around the town and the surrounding country in motorcars, nnd some made the trip to the Mountain. THE PARADE. In the afternoon, a grand parade of the military was held, culminating in Church parade on the Recreation Ground. The attendance was exceptionally large, numbering fully 2000. The Cadets, accompanied by the local Territorials and Cadets assembled at the Drill Hall, and marched to the Recreation Ground to the accompaniment of the .strains of the Taranaki Garrison Band.

The parade state was: Canadian Cadets (Captain Davy), Taranaki War Veterans, 50 strong'(Col. J. Ellis), A Company Territorials (Captain Fletelier), B. Company (Captain Boon), High School Cadets (Captain Ryder), No. 1 Battalion Taranaki Junior Cadets, under the command of Major Sandford, three companies:— First and second companies Central School (Captain Mcllroy and Col.-Sergt. Corkill), Fitzroy School" (Captain-Ad jutant Johnson). The whole of the military paraded under Major F. T. Bellringer. and the officers present included: Colonel Okey, Captain Stevens (area group officers), Captain Home (New Zealand Medical Corps), and Captain-Quarter-master Okey.

The Church parade opened with a hymn, followed by the reading of n passage of scripture, 12th Chapter, St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, by the Rev. A. H. Colville, who is n chaplain in the Territorial forces., and another hymn "0 God Our Help in Ages Past." OBEDIENCE AND DISCIPLINE. Mr. Colvile then delivered an impressive address, in the course of which he said the people of New Plymouth were very glad to have the Canadian Cadets amongst them. Continuing, he said they had attended the parade that afternoon, not, he hoped, just sis a mere function or display, but as a small act of homage to God. The service of God was higher than even the service of one's own country, and was called in the Bible the service of perfect freedom. Striking another note lie stressed the importance of discipline and obedience in serving one's country, and followed this with a plea for simple obedience of God's rules. Both would increase their capacity for service, as soldiers and as men. and ensure their true freedom. The veterans on pnrade that day knew tile value of those qualities, when carried out by men as a body. Obedience and discipline were necessary in all walks of life and in every profession, be it what it liiitv, artist, mariner, or what not. Had thev ever heard a ship's captain talking about the bother of his charts and compasses? Did a man ever put to sea without .them? If lie did there would not be a rush for 'berths in his boat. Similarly how could the world's n'inter musicians ever have acquired their wonderful power, without long and tedious hours spent in practising scales 'ind exercises. Po in every dav life men

must obey the rules laid "down bv those who h-id mastered the subject before them, if they wished to enjoy true liberty and suet-ess. Doubtless, lie added, the visiting cadet,-- belonged to some branch of that great universal Church doing Cod's service. They were, he hoped, loyal to that body, attending public worship on Sundays. ••there are' plenty of people" he continued, "who tell you that that is a rule which.you have no need to obey; that they can Avorship God out in the open air by themselves. I once knew a man like that, and what he used to do was to lie on his bed on Sunday morning reading the Sunday newspaper! They could not do anything without rules, however simple. He appealed to the youth of his audience. Rules made by one's self in obedience to the voice of one's conscience Avere worth keeping more than rules made and enforced by others. God, through their own consciences would tell them what rules thev ought to observe. Always should it be 'remembered that it was the little things in life, on which depended whether we were going to be really efficient or else, in truth more slaves. To quote the saving of his old headmaster: "A young fellow very seldom sells his birthright of freedom 'all at once; he usually sells it bv pennyworths." How; asked the speaker. Tt was, he explained, in that outburst of selfish indulgence which we sometimes allowed ourselves for just one day \1 <^ as with the thought: "We can pull ourselves up next day.' We very often did, but nevertheless there was another pennyworth of freedom gone. Again, think of that idle time we sometimes had, while our workwas waiting to be done. We comforted ourselves with the thought that to-mor-row we would work twice as hard Perhaps we would, but it was at the cost of another pennyworth of freedom It wis in these matters that we should make rules for ourselves. Obedience in little things was a great thing, and by listening to the <rmdance of our conscience we would one day gain that which maingreat men had longed for. and longed for in vain—freedom! In the service of God and m only the service of God was per- ' feet freedom to be obtained on! C ,f"" in n . of "Onward Christian .Soldiers" brought the service to a close Subsequently there was a march past of the military, followed bv the general salute. Owing to the band attached to the Canadian Cadets not being on parade the trooping of the colors had to be cut out of the programme. t The Cadets will entrain by this mornmgs train for Wanganui.