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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 76, 6 May 1914, Page 6

That the riot at the Takapau camp or. Sunday evening was more serious than the woefully inadequate Press Association message the following day led the South Island public to believe, is made evident by the detailed account of the disorder which we were enabled to give readers last evening. The Wellington journals, who had special reporters at the camp, describe the affair as one of the worst disturbances in the history of the Territorial scheme. Their nerves on edge as the result of bitter and violent weather, which razed the tents, a rowdy element whose tempers were not improved by wet clothing and an insufficiency of food, began to play fast and loose. The most serious aspect of the whole affair was the flagrant insubordination of a number of these Territorial hooligans who were prevented from dismantling the guard tent only by the arrival of the mounted police. An ugly scene followed, and the riot very much resembled the clashes in the streets of Wellington during the strike. The malcontents even went the length of insulting and threatening Colonel Chaytor, officer commanding the district. Admitting that the men had cause for complaint with regard to changes of clothing, train arrangements, and commissariat deficiencies, nothing can justify or be pleaded in extenuation of such unmilitary and disgraceful conduct. It is inevitable in the nature of things that the men must suffer some hardships in camp, especially when the weather is a discouraging factor, but it is absurd to expect the Defence Department at this stage of the scheme to be able to make such arrangements as will not involve some discomfort for some one. Few will contest the point that there arc shortcomings, but few will deny but that those in charge are doing their best to have these removed. However it is, these childish rowdies will have to be taught that insubordination is not to be tolerated under any circumstances. If there are grievances, the officers can be trusted to do what they can to remedy them. There should be condign punishment for those who take the law into their own hands. Military discipline is military discipline, and the Court of Enquiry set up should handle the matter with the gloves off.