SOLDIER OF TO-DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23177, 25 October 1938, Page 10

SOLDIER OF TO-DAY

SPECIAL TRAINING NARROW NEOK GROUPS THE RESERVIST SECTION COURSES FOR TERRITORIALS Lying on a sunny, well-clipped sward, on a cliff commanding a fine view, a squad of young men manipulated a Lewis gun with loving care, and occasionally fired a burst at a floating target, over 1000 yds. away. Tracer bullets, too. What better could a Territorial, with the matter of the thing in him, wish for, especially when his pay is 12s a day? At the same time, another group of trainees of a different order wen* engaged in gun drill in a fort. They wore gas masks, through which orders wero passed in what seemed a very husky dry-throaty voice. And how glad they wero when the masks could come off their hot, perspiring faces. The two scenes are typical of the Narrow Neck training depot these days. The light gun students were members of a special group of Territorials drawn from units scattered over a wide area of tho province; the embryo gunners wero members of the Special Reserve, who may bo classed as semiregulars. Tho training in each cavse is strenuous firmly-disciplined and, by former standards, well paid. A thoroughly good job is being performed by the staff, but the pity of it is that the overhead cost is not justified by higher numbers. The "Semi-regulars"

For the moment, let us consider only the training schemes. The more important is the training of the Special Reserve. Men joining the Special Reserve go into training in groups of 50, if that number can be obtained, for a period of three months. The pay is eight shillings a day, less two shillings and sixpence a day for messing and quarters. The obligation is to come up for annual training of ton days and for home service in time of war. Trainees have the option of continuing for another three months, and in Auckland 60 per cent have availed themselves of it. Apart from military duties, facilities for vocational training are given, at the Technical College and at the artillery depot, where motor instruction is the" present thing. Trainees who are able to secure permanent civil positions are released from their immediate military obligations, numbers have so departed from Narrow Neck. At Narrow Neck, those who remain in the reserve finish with the Garrison Artillery, and some have already joined that regular regiment. At Trentham the training is in specialist infantry work. Doubtless some of the men will gravitate in time to the general instructional staff. In the meantime, they are learning the profession of a soldier—the arts and crafts of a soldier, it might bo added, for here the more or less casual way of the Territorial camps does not obtain. "On Parade, On Parade" Not long ago there was an English cartoon depicting the modern sergeantmajor asking a number of lounge lizards in uniform if they would care for a "spot of drill." Not so in Narrow Neck, or in any of the adjoining places of martial might and fervour. One does it or he hears about it. If one is slack in that fateful heavy hour after lunch one hears about it further. In a word the one and only way of turning out the efficient soldier is employed. This rigid standard does not, of course, wash out, say, the picnic down to an important gulf island (sandwiches provided bv the cook). It does not prevent an officer saying that this particular group of holes in a miniature target represents very fine shooting. But definitely it does prevent a trainee getting into his head the notion that he can become a key armv man without jumping to it in his malleable days.

The fact that the territorial trainees who come in for a special week's course receive 12s a day, may not be received with cheers by the special reservists who cet less, but the young man from Hokianga or Raglan learns more than the Lewis gun and signals. If, for instance, he and his friend boot-black the red head of a sleeping comrade and that comrado upon his awakening wipes his indignant head with the drill tunics ot his tormentors, then something has to be done for it is a wellknown military fact that His Majesty's uniform, even of denim, must not be damaged. Hence we observe two men minus bandoliers being marched to,the orderly room, where apparently voluminous evidence is necessary. The upshot seems to bo a couple of halfcrown fines. Those "crimed" may go back to their hunt, where the beds and equipment are in apple-pie order, and shriek with mirth over the episode, but, nevertheless, they have been taught an essential thing or two which in future days may stand to them in tempering justice with mercy. All the lessons of such a camp are not immediately obvious to the soldier of to-morrow. Servants in the Messes One visited men of both groups when at their meals. There was no evidence of bewilderment because the mess parade was a real parade and that civilian camp servants provided and served the food. No mess orderlies. No instructions to bring a mug, a fork, a knife and a spoon. Shades of the past! The long tables were covered with snow-white covers. For each man were laid a variety of cutlery and table wear. Cups with saucers shone against the dishes of lettuce and beetroot and hot scones.' (All chippod cups go to tho destructor in the interests of health.) Luncl\ consists of largo succulent slices of cold meat and potatoes in their jackets with tho garnishings mentioned. Butter is in abundance. The waiters are always ready to supply more of anything. At diuner there is a choice of two hot joints and two sweets. A city restaurant would close in a day if it had to find such meals at tho common price. But this is all to tho good. The old soldier may have his doubts about the provision of civilian waiters, but none about tho quantity and quality of the "tucker." And actually the cost per head per day if one's assumptions are right is not overwhelming. The padre who reads prayers on parade every morning is responsible for a wide range of camp recreation and what is lacking—the camp is ; of course, "dry"—cau be secured during leave. One is inclined to think that rural territorials will come down in growing numbers to attend the special courses, particularly when there is 12s a day for pocket-money, less tho cost of painting red heads with boot blacking. But what a real nerve centre Narrow Nock would be it' New Zealand set out to have a land force of a full division. IT'S AN ECONOMICAL DYE! Because of tho highly concentrated form of Nadco, you use less dye in each operation. And tho fact that Nadco cleanses and dyes at the same time actually adds to its colour strength. Nadco is obtainable in 30 fashionable shades at all stores and chemists.— Advt.