MILITARY CHAPLAINS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 77, 30 March 1912, Page 6

MILITARY CHAPLAINS.

lOLONEL ALLEN. BELL'S STATEMENT THE OFFICIAL ASPECT. - Colonel Allen Bell's references to chaplains were brought under the notice of Qplonel Robin, Adjutant-Gen-eral of the* 1 Forces, to-day, and that officer replied as follows : — "The only obligatory uniform for officer* of the Territorial Forces is service drees. Uniform is not obligatory for' chaplains, except on active service, but a scarf with the crown, and, monogram N.Z.M.F. in gold may be worn. It is to be distinctly that the provision of full dress iot the Territorial Force is purely optional. "A chaplain from each denomination may attend the troops. Commanding officers have instructions toi assist the chaplains, and no man is called on toattend any service except that *of his pwn. denomination. "All possible accommodation and facilities are provided, in the shape of marquees, tents, -etc., for the use of any chaplains attending any camps or exerr ckee. Work on Sundays or Good Friday i/3 reduced to a very minimum. TheArmy List gives the names of chaplains * in th«ir denomination who have so far ■ volunteered for the work. To attempt, as has been suggested, to set out how a- chaplain will conduct the manage- . meat or act. in the capacity of a spiritual adviser, -would be an impertinence lon the part of any commanding officer. Tn j the* past the f »Bervicetf of the chaplains haye 1 been much appreciated by, the Volunteers. Under the bettered 'and - enlarged scheme new initiated the chaplains can be trusted to do' . ■ their duty, and/ help greatly in tho welfare anct discipline of the new force by the influence on. the memfters of their denominations J' ; .