MECHANICAL “STABLES.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 111, 11 April 1936, Page 10

MECHANICAL “STABLES.”

END OF ROMANCE. Tho mechanisation of the mounted units of the British Army is one thing and romance is another. Famous regiments which have (accustomed themselves to horses through the centuries have been, as it were, struck a foul blow with a spanner. Iron and steel are taking the place of blood and flesh, and the roar of motor engines is offered as compensation for the neigh of chargers. The blow is especially foul because it involves the ear with which Romance listened to “Stables” —that lilting trumpet call which roused troopers. ‘ and horses alike to the main business of the day. How can there be “Stables” if there are no horses? Ugly and odourous tractors and tanks and lorries need no stables. They are, in fact,

“parked,” and not stabled. Ridiculous, therefore, to sound “Stables” as a signal to polish and oil and fuel those strange engines which are the latest symbols of humanity’s enterpi’ise in war. Until recently “Stables” sounded something like this: — “All* you who are able should come to the stable and water your horses and give them some com. If you. don’t do it the major will know it, then you will be for the office the very next morn.” So firmly does the association of ideas cling that our mechanised regiments rather resent that blare of “Stables’ now-a-days. It is so silly, they say, to continue a call which no longer has any sensible application. For it is quite absurd to think that corn can be of any use, to a tank or an armoured car. And so it is propsed that the words of the .famous old call be altered to these (or a version equally appropriate): — “Come on with your spanners and mechanised manners, the garage is calling, tile engines are cold: So come with a jump and dive into the sump and be drowned if you don’t do the job you are told.” One London newspaper —the Daily Lxpi ess—was' so affected by the situation that it offered a daily prize of half a guinea for the best “call” published. A member of its own staff composed tho above lines, but there was some sort of consciousness that they were hardly worthy. Hence the subsequent' flood of public “suggestions,” which are now our morning fare, says a London writer.