MILITARY LIFE.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15425, 2 November 1915, Page 9

MILITARY LIFE.

ITS PHYSICAL AND MORAL BENEFITS. Thf» for ivoriiils bavins sounded throughout tho Doininion. it will not (-0 aini;-s to point "t:i to iho.se most elosely concemcd in responding to tho call the many advantages <;f a soldier's life and training f writes Colonel Porter, C.8.. in the "Poverty Bay Herald"). Frien<iti and relatives must have remarked at the extraordinary improvement in the physical fitness of the men who have joined the Expeditionary Forces of this Dominion, and similar observations are bei'ii<4 made all over the Empire. Thousands of men accustomed to .sedentary lives are now leading strenuous outdoor lives of f.oldiem actually engaged in warlike operations, doing brave acts and enduring hardships they before training could hardly be deemed capable of. The strongest factors in the physical improvement of tlie mon are outdoor life, regular time of meals, set hours of retirement to sleep and rising, restriction and moderation in the consumption of alcoholics and other habits detrimental 1o health. Neurasthenics no longer worry about the inner man (particularly in the field or trencher), but study instead t-ho outer man. Morally the pursuit of a common object. the spirit of comradeship in sharing a common dancer, and disciplined emulation renders all selfishness despicable. and inoi: rise to a higher standard morally than many would have done surrounded by the allurements and temptations of civilian life. Tho home-left relatives and friends think sadl.v of their dearest ones passing through the dancers.and hardships life, amongst bursting shells and docimating bullets, and are surprised when they receive such bright and cheerful letters from their brave soldier lads. Given a fair standard of physical stamina, it cannot bo questioned that the active, adventurous life of the soldier in tho field makes for health and strength. Hard work and frugal living: in *ite open air raise the vitality, and the moral being undergoes a salutary change, together with the physical. These points are noted from a lone, practical experience, and are intended for the consideration of men eligible for service, also for the relatives of those who may he holding back their sons, brothers'' or husbands from joining the bravo fellows now fighting the Empire's battles in foreign lands; and, apart from the actual casualties of war. there is no healthier or manlier life than that of the active field soldier.