The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1914. THE REVIEW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 3, 22 May 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1914. THE REVIEW.

Few of tfhose who attended the racecourse on Wednesday to witness the review of Taranaki's senior cadets by the Inspector-General of the Overseas Forces could have lhad any idea of the degree of efficiency the lads have attained in comparatively so short a time. Their work was a revelation, being a credit to them and their instructor#. They exhibited all the qualities of soldiers. Indeed, in bearing 1 , smartness and general efficiency they would compare very favorably indeed witih their bigger brothers in the Territorials. It is not surprising that their work drew

from tihe distinguished inspecting officer I words of commendaton. He had seen nothing finer, lie said. This is indeed praise from one of the leading soldiers of Britain, if not of the world. There can be no doubt that the authorities are working on Tigfot lines in getting hold of the youth of the country ani teaching them what Mr. Justice E<lwar<l» at the evening's proceedings characterised as "the duties of citizenship." It is quite true, as the learned judge remarked, tihat in these times of lax parental control our lads are apt to forget all hut the amenities and delights of life in tlhis favored land, and if the defence system does nothing else but inculcate in our youth a feeling of duty, self-sacrifice and patriotism, it will justify itself and prove of inestimable value to the country. Our youth lhave many virtues, but discipline cannot be accounted one of them. Probably they should not be blamed for this shortcoming. They have been born and reared in perhaps the freest, 'healthiest and lhappiest country in the world, and the very nature of this environment may be responsible for the laxity and waywardness shown by so large a proportion. But this can be, and will be, altered. There is evidence of a change already. And it is being wrought on the training field, in the drillahcd, and the military camps and reviews. No doubt as time goes on the effect will grow more and more pronounced, until there is evolved a type of citizen who will be prepared not only to resist an enemy should he show his head above ■ the sky-line of New Zealand, but, what is of equal importance, be prepared to serve his country in any way he can in a civic capacity, to subordinate, as the Jap has done, and continues to do, his personal interest to the welfare of the State. The officers who have been entrusted with the training of our youth have no light responsibility cast upon them, but that they are are equal, to it and are possessed of tho right spirit and enthusiasm, is shown by the results they have already attained, such, for | instance, as the excellent work of the

lads on Wednesday. Everyone concerned with that fine display deserves to be heartily congratulated, tihe lads themselves, their officers, and the officer commanding (Captain Stevens). The publio would like to see more of the cadet* and their work, and the authorities might do worse than hold Bimilar parades of the cadets of the whole province at regular intervals. The parade and inspection of the Taranaki war veteran* constituted an interesting feature of the proceedings. Perhaps nowhere in Australasia could be found such a number of venerablo warriors with similar records of service and valor, performed here in New Zealand, in India, the Crimea, and other parts, and no doubt General Sir lan Hamilton was as genuinely pleased at meeting them as certainly they wero at seeing him. The day was a memorable one for the veterans, as no doubt it was for all the others taking part. Everything passed off successfully, and we have no doubt that the distinguished soldier, and the others accompanying him, will have carried away pleasant recollections of their all too brief stay in New Plymouth.