Takapau Reviewed

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 295, 16 May 1914, Page 5

Takapau Reviewed

EXPERIENCED CHAPLAIN PRAISES THE CAMP. "I AM PROUD OF OUR YOUNG MEN." PRAISE FOR GENERAL GODLEY AND THE STAFF. SWELLED-HEAD SUBALTE RNS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Xighl. The conduct of the men who were as-

sembled in the military tamp at Tukapau was discussed to-day by the Rev. J. A. Luxford, senior chaplain of the Methodist Church. With the exception of a critical reference to some of the subalterns, the Rev. Luxford warmlypraised both officers and men, expressing the opinion that the camp was tlw best conducted that he had attended. Rev. Luxford said he had had a wide experience of military camps, for he liad 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 camp compares favorably with any other in which I have been," he declared. ''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 hiin as junior chaplain. Mr Luxford 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 non-commissioned officers who are on the permanent staff are a valuable asset to the Defence Department. They are indefatigable in their attentions to the men, courteous in their behaviour, and are a credit to their Imperial regiments. In my experience I have always found them an. xious to carry out their duties creditably. "On the other hand, I consider Mr Boyes' reference to a section of the subalterns warranted. While a number of them are fine young fellows, there are some who are inexperienced, superficial, and seem to think that the Territorial system exists for their benefit only. They should be more guarded :n their expressions about censoring the Press. If they are not amenable to discipline after dark, how can the authorities expect the men to be quiet in camp after the order 'lights out'? "The reference to 'General Codley wit* also unwise and ungenerous," Mr Luxford. continued. "I regard General Godley as a typical English gentleman, from

the crown of his head to the sole of his foot. The; chaplains could not have a better friend. Every facility has been provided by him, so that they ma,- discharge their duties efficiently. Colonel Chaytor, the officer commanding the Brigade, also went out of his way to help the chaplains. The general stud' and commanding officers left no stone unturned to assist the representatives of the churches in their work. We cannot expect military camps to be like Bible Class camps. Like a certain sheet in the Apostolic vision, they contain all sorts, and the good element predominates largely over the bad. I am proud of our New Zealand young men. and although there are a few exceptions, it Is no worse than the Apostlcship, which contained a Judas, and we arc not going to judge them all by the betrayer.''