AN ANCIENT ORDER OF CHIVALRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 6

AN ANCIENT ORDER OF CHIVALRY

There are many reasons why New Zealanders of all classes will be glad to extend a cordial welcome to Colonel J. L. Sleeman, Chief Commissioner of the St, John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, who is at the moment in Dunedin at the outset of a month’s visit to the Dominion. Colonel Sleeman’s visit is of special significance, insofar as its official purpose is concerned, for the reason that it marks the first occasion on which a Commanderychapter of the Order in New Zealand has been visited by a direct representative of the Grand Priory in England. Apart, however, from the official importance that attaches to Colonel Sleeman’s presence as the temporary guest of the city, he will be welcomed because of the high reputation he continues to enjoy as a soldier and because the service he gave to New Zealand as Director of Military Training from 1915, right through the critical war years, until 1922, is by no means forgotten. Colonel Sleeman’s present tour, which has already embraced the Commanderies of the Order in South Africa and Australia, was undertaken at the express command of the Grand Prior, the Duke of Connaught. It is natural that the Chief Commissioner’s greatestinterest should be in the progress that is being made by the various establishments of the Order in the dominions that have come under his survey, and it is gratifying to be able to record that so far he has been deeply impressed by what he has seen. One note of criticism, however, is worthy of emphasis, because it applies not to the brigade organisations themselves, but to the lack of public appreciation of all that their self-sacrificing labours impose on the members of these organisations. Colonel Sleeman remarked at yesterday’s civic reception that it is not always recognised that the ambulance workers of the Order give their services freely, without even the expectation of reward of any kind, and more often than not even provide their own uniforms. Indifference on the part of the public to this aspect of their service may, he added, not exist in New Zealand. We hope that it does not exist to the extent that it may be noticeable elsewhere, but we feel nevertheless that there could be a much more generous recognition of the worth of the splendid work done in this country by the men and women who comprise the service branches of the Order. Too often, as Colonel Sleeman has reminded us, such work is simply taken for granted. This may be explained by the fact that the Order does not make a parade of knowledge freely used, of services unostentatiously given. The most ancient order of chivalry in the world does not discharge its high functions with any thought of self-advertisement. ‘ Dunedin at least, to a notable extent, can refute the charge of being apathetic. The first ambulance establishment of the brigade overseas was started in this city, which also formed the second women’s ambulance division in the Empire. Colonel Sleeman had particular satisfaction in recalling these facts at yesterday’s functions, and the knowledge should help to sustain public interest in the work of an organisation which, for many years, has zealously served this community.