WELL BEHAVED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3086, 17 May 1917, Page 6

WELL BEHAVED SOLDIERS

Sir, —It was: exceedingly gratifying to read in your edition of yesterday, that our soldiers had left such a record for good' behaviour in Australia—vide report of Commissioner of Police. The pity is.that there is not more recognition of it-in New Zealand. Instead, there seems to be a prejudice against them. And I must admit that until recently, when given an opportunity, of judging for myself, I gave credence t 0 jt—to this extent at least: what more natural than when thousands oE soldiers of all grades are concentrate'l thousands going and more thousands taking their places—some of these men might overstep the bounds ? Prior to the departure of one oi tho last contingents to leave New Zealand I spent a fortnight in Wellington, going out to Trentham every day raid returning to town for the evening, eo I can speak for the hoys both in camp and oh leave. Furthermore, my daughters and I would motor with my sons and their mates to Lower Hutt eery night and seo them on to the lato troop train there. A train Toad of soldiers returning to camp at that hour might ho expected to pass comments and be a bit noisy, but tho/reverse was always the case. Then on their hist night before sailing, when all members of the Reinforcement had general leave;, took them right back to Trentham. What followed was an cxperiencp long to linger in our minds— a grateful memory. We arrived some minutes before the train, and sat in. the car bv the gates—four soldiers and four civilians—as tho troops marched into camp. They were whistling or softly singing ■as they marched along, without one sign of "rowdyism"—surely forgivable on such an occasion. A' crowd of civilians, or secondary school children, would not be so orderly and quiet—not to mention . footballers!

I could multiply instances—as of the car-load of engineers who helped us with a puncture on our return trip that night, and liy their gentlemanly conduct, made us more than over ashamed at the slurs cast on thpsn noblij men—our soldiiTs. lam proud :of..them.' God. bless.thorn.—l, am,-etc., SOLDIER'S MOTHER.