MILITARY CAMPS AND DISCIPLINE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1017, 5 January 1911, Page 4

MILITARY CAMPS AND DISCIPLINE.

A question of considerable importance is raised by a correspondent, "Viator," in connection with military camps tinder the new defence scheme. .From what he saw at Palmerston recently, and from what he . has _ heard in other quarters, "Viator' has conic to'the conclusion that military camps are liable to have a very harmful effect on youths and young men. lfc gives his reasons for this opinion, and wc have not the least doubt that there is a certain amount of truth in what lie says. There are members of the Defence Forces who do discredit to their corps on occasions by overindulgence in drink, and there are others who arouse disgust by their obscene talk and filthy jests. While this does not prove that the camps have done, or are going to do, the amount of harm feared by our correspondent, it is perhaps as well that, the question should have been raised and brought publicly under tho attention of the Defence Authori"Viator" has done a public service in raising it. We publish elsewhere a brief expression of opinion from'the Commandant of the Forces,, and also the opinion of other officers of experience, and it is quite evident that they recognise the necessity;for enforcing a proper' standard of conduct, as well as strict discipline in the Defence Forces. The real weakness of , our Volunteer system was the loose discipline—soldiering was not taken seriously cither by the public or by tho Volunteers themselves. No doubt there were admirable exceptions, but the general tendency was in the direction stated. Under the now defence scheme this must be changed. More especially is it necessary that the non-commissioned officers should take a tighter hold on the men' and stricter discipline be enforced all round. So far as the camps are concerned, tho regulations can bo made to cover such weaknesses as "Viator" discusses, but the real remedy lies in the development of a proper spirit of discipline throughout the, forces, and this can only be brought about by a strict exercise of authority by officers and non-commissioned officers, and a loyal recognition of their obligations by the men. Apart from the effect of these more stringent conditions on the standard of tho Defence Forces of the Dominion, they must prove beneficial also to the young men of the community in their capacity as citizens! It is-a weakness of the colonial youth,, tho, result perhaps of the cxccssivc license : he enjoys, that 110 has smallreverence for authority of any kind. It can. do him no harm, and wfll probably do him a great deal of fiood, to be subject to an authority who Will exact from him 1 an unquestioning obedience, and who will insist on a rigid adherence to the regulations of the Defence Service. General Godley, wc trust, will realise that he has the weight of public opinion behind him in his determination to exact from tho Defence Forces of tho country a proper recognition of their 'responsibilities, both as officers and men. ' If this is done, and we have every confidencc' that it will be done, then; "Viator" and those who think with him will have little' ground for the fears which they have quite properly ventilated.