BASTES ENCAMPMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6489, 8 April 1908, Page 5

BASTES ENCAMPMENTS

NO CANTEEN EOS AUCKLAND VOLUNTEERS. THE SUNDAY DRILL QUESTION. WJMB ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, April 7. Tho question of Sunday cnnlps and the controversy on tho canteen system wan referred to by Colonel Wolfe, o*o., in tho course of conversation with a “Star” representative this morning.” “I sco no reason why canteens should ho allowed in volunteer camps,” said tho Officer Commanding, “ and then? will certainly be no canteen at the Easter encampment which, con rronooa next week. I have nothing in particular to say against tho canteen i it is just that X do not regard it as necessary. If countenanced, it is my opinion, tho privilege would not bo abused, hut wo are better off without it. Tho last canteen we had ivufl in 1898, and tho men showed such a small desire to partake of tho inducements offered that the licensee in charge of tho booth lost money over it. The men ■ have not asked for a canteen and wo ate not going to have it in this district,” Referring to the ecclesiastical strictures passed on the practice followed while in camp’ of Sunday drill, Colonel Wolfe said ho could quite understand that the clergy were naturally zealous in their desire to maintain the sanctity of the Sabbath, but ho thought there woro times when they might very well devote their attention to matters more within their own domain. Tho officers in charge pould bo relied upon to sea that there was no desecration of tho Sabbath.

“We invariably have church parade,” said the Colonel, "and every man in camp is compelled to attend. 1 think I might reasonably point ont that many are thus compelled to attend divine service who are never Been inside a church when off duty. Again, it is far better to have men perfecting themselves in drill and discipline than to have them picnicking, boating or following some other diver Sion. The last Sunday spent in Easter camp, if I remember rightly, there ivas church parade in the morning, and in the afternoon the men were allowed to receive their friends. To prove that there is an objection amongst the men to loafing 'about camp, it is interesting to note that before tho afternoon was over a number of infantrymen came and asked for work.”

It will be interesting in a week or two to compare tho number of district volunteers on service at tho Easter manoeuvres with that actually on tho strength of tho forces. Tho following is a complete list up to March 91: Rovnl Arti'lery and En Bmoors 151, Fiold Artillery 70, Garrison Artillery (two oom panics) 261, Engineers 110, Mounted Infantry 852, five battalions Infantry 1873, rcx=erve .tf officers 20, active officers 50, Field Hospital anrl Bearer Corps 2G. Do fence Oadorta 1018, Defence Rifle Clubs 1958. Garrison hands 2S, five battalion bands 99, medical officers attached •85. medical -'ffi.-crs nrmt incited 15. Total, 0013. At tho end of February tho total was 6633. and there is a detroase of 20 in tho strength.