VOLUNTEERS AND REGULARS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIV, Issue 12323, 13 October 1900, Page 6

VOLUNTEERS AND REGULARS.

The tribute paid by Corporal Symes, ah the High School reunion last night, to the, fighting qualities of the regular soldier was, unfortunately, called forth by the intemperate manner in which spate of his feUowi /volunteers and their admirers have

' ’ jNbe MtTieoß of iio irregular forces employed is Stmth Africa. Tha valuo of those ser- ■ jnoeo has baenfuHy acknowledged by Lord! Roberta and the generals serving under him, and their generous, criticisms should have been a sufficient reward for the men. But, unfortunately, a few of them were not satisfied with this recognition, and sought to twin additional kudo® for themselves by* disj»iaging the, professional soldiers. The late Mr Steevens, of the “Daily Mail,” passed cutting strictures upon the “seifeufficiency ” of some of the finest of the irregular troops, who bad outraged the canons of modesty and decency by their boasts of the part they had played in the |b«ttle of Elandelaagte. Pardonable pride jbi their achievements is only natural in jwjlunteers, but some of the criticisms which jtre have seen directed by them against tried Regiments, with long records of distinguished - iwrvice on their colours, have formed a poor ketum for the heartiness with) which ‘“Tommy,” with all his faults, welcomed assisted his amateur comrades. In spite irf all we hear about the virtues of “bushImen:” and “ rough riders,” we doubt if the (trained soldier has a great deal to leam in the art of campaigning, and he is certainly a credit to his country in the day of (battle. Colonials have enough reason to content with the laurels they have gainled, without attempting to add to them by belittling the men who, as the casualty lists of eVery engagement will show, bear the real brunt of the fighting.