"Diggers" and Discipline

NZ Truth, Issue 725, 10 May 1919, Page 2

"Diggers" and Discipline

Smoking and Two-up m the Ranks. (From "Truth's" Christchuroh Rep.) That the conduct of certain of the returned soldiers who took part In the prpcession on Anzac Day did not meet with the approval of Colonel Chaffey, was made apparent when, at a meeting of the Returned Soldiers Association subsequently, a letter was read from the O,C, who complained of the lack of discipline shown; and regretted such incidents as smoking m the ranks and playing "two-up." The letter was read and allowed to "lie on the table," and "Truth" has been waiting to see if the R.S.A. had an aiiswer. But at the time of writing 1 , the letter still "lies on the table," and possißly thiat may bj the end of it. However, be that as it may, "Truth" is,, and has always been a staunch supporter of the "digger," but when it coones to playing two-up m the ranks, and scattering discipline to the four winds, then this paper must be on the side of Colonel Chaffey. i The procession was arranged to do honor to a memorable occasion, and for the hour or so during which the procession marched m and about the city, no effort was required te act properly. But to indulge m two-up, smoke -and. joke, is hardly what would be expected, and those who were responsible for such conduct can rest assured that they were neither accredit to themselves nor to their uniform. In justice to the returned men who really saw the serious side of war, it has. to be said that there is a strong rumor g-oing- round the city that the men who were guilty of the objectional conduct and lack of discipline, were mostly, if"' not all, men who never reached the firing line, but who were returned to New Zealand almost without hearing a shot, and ; certainly without personally firing one. Be this as it may, however, it is to be hoped that a like complaint will not require to be made on any future occasion.