A BANTAM BRIGADE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11697, 17 October 1916, Page 8

A BANTAM BRIGADE.

WHY NOT ONE FROM NEW ZEALAND? When a medical officer goes to examine a man who enlists for active service, one of the first things he does—unless it is obviously not necessary—is to measure his height. The regulations provide that a man should be sft. 2in. in height in his bare feet. That, under ordinary circumstances, a correspondent urges, would seem to be a reasonable height for a soldier. But, he adds, is it? The time has gone by for the scarlet tunic, the gold braided officer, the hashing epaulets, and befeatnered cocked hat. The great “bearskin” of the old Guards, and the helmets of the City Rifles are known no more. Ail military frills have been literally blotted out. The glory of “big men soldiers,” too, has departed. Trench fighting has made the “six-foot-two” man an undesirable in the front line trenches; indeed, whenever trenches have to be constructed for that extra three or tour or .five or six inches in height over the standard —whatever it might be—makes all the difference in the creation of reasonable protection. The big man looks well on parade, and shows to best advantase perhaps in the drab undrcssy khaki, but when it comes to actual work it is doubtful if he is quite as effective as the well trained little man. The latter occupies less space, presents a smaller target to the enemy, is usually quicker in his movements, and as often as not is no end of a lighter. Then wny not a bantam brigade from New Zealand? Say men between -Ift. lOin. and sft. 2in. One of the gentlemen who was connected with tne Recruiting Office at the Town Hall for nigh on a year, says that very frequently sturdy little men, of immense brawn and muscle, were turned down on stating their height at under oft. 2in., a question only asked of course when the matter of height was in doubt. Home of these little men could eat some of the lanky, slabsided youths who were readily accepted. At Home a Bantam Brigade has done excellent work at the front. Why should New Zealand not raise a Bantam Battalion now' that the appeal for men is so urgent and insistent?—Dominion.