CAMP LIFE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 June 1919, Page 5

CAMP LIFE.

"A SLUR ON SOLDIERS." Auckland, June 17. "I am astonished," said Sir James Allen to-day, when referring to the discussion of the Council of Churches in Christohuren relative to camp life, "that clergymen and church leaders, and particularly padres who have been in camp, should give expression to 1 such statements jabout the influence of camp life and military training. I am prepared to say that there has been a certain amount, of evil in military camps, but it was not produced there, it was brought in from outside. I have abundant evidence of that. In camp chaplains have every opportunity to exercise their influence for good, 'in respect to the training camps of the Expeditionary Porce the churches never before had such an opportunity, and many chaplains did seize the opportunity. Evil certainly exists in the country, and it. is brought into camps. But whose fauit is it that evil exists in the coimtryt I would like to ask the Christchurch ministers who have indulged in this alarmist criticism if they have done all they might have done to produce men worthy of the name of New Zealanders? I believe that the influence of camps is good and that the influence of the officers and the chaplains is for good. I believe that their influence tends to produce manliness and character, and that the" training develops virtues which have won for New Zealand soldiers abroad their high reputation as fighters and their good name Rmong the I peoples of the countries they havo"been in. The Defence Department has certainly done nl! it could to make the camps plaoo9 where the best influences could be brought to bear on men." 'A NEW SCHEME. "fn regard to four months camps for youths of 18, there ia a scheme, I may say, which has not been before Cabinet or Parliament. The object 5s twofold. The aims are that men shall receive better military and physical training than is at present" possible tinder the territorial system, and also to develop good citizenship. If we can get these youths in camp for 1 four months I am awe that the result will be that they will become mora healthy citteens, both physically and morally. The- statements made fa Christchurch ue a «lui upon every solIgjtt «■■...«