NO GROUND FOR COMPLAINT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 83, 14 May 1914, Page 8

NO GROUND FOR COMPLAINT.

CAMP CONDUCT AT KOWAI,

IMPRESSIONS BY REV. JOHN MACKENZIE. In view of the discussion regarding the moral tone of Territorial camps, the impressions of the Rev. John Mac: kenzie will be read with interest. Speaking to an interviewer, Mr Mackenzie said: —

'' During the past three years I have been present at three Territorial camps, and have been pleased to note that so far as this district id concerned there is no ground for the complaints that have been made in other quarters, and I am satisfied that there is a distinct improvement in the general tone of the camp life. I attribute this, first, to the strict enforcement by the officer commanding the district of the regulations dealing with liquor; second, to the : influence of the institutes conducted by the Y.M.C.A. and C.E.M.S.; and third, to the growing determination on the part of an increasing section of officers and men, to eliminate from our military system any elements that might justly give offence to right thinking people. At Kowai I was attached to the ,Ist Canterbury Infantry Regiment, and I should like to bear testimony to the excellent conduct of the men, and to the spirit displayed by them during the wet days which turned the camp into a quagmire. There was no grumbling and no symptoms of insubordinations BAD LANGUAGE. " One unfortunate feature of all camps appears to be the use of bad language on the part of a section of the men. At Kowai, so far as my observations went, some of the worst offenders were amongst the camp followers, the casuals, who were not under strict military supervision. Ido not think, however, that the use of bad language wa;s as marked as in previous camps. It must be remembered that our military system is not responsible for this evil. It already exists, and camp life simply reveals its existence. It is , lamentable to think that there are so many apparently decent young fellows to whom coarse and profane language seems _to come so naturally. All the chaplains at Kowai were agreed that stronger measures should be taken to repress this evil. IMPROVEMENT IN TONE. "Personally, I am confident that the tone of the camps will be improved from year to year. The younger officers are getting a better grip of their duties and are gaining in confidence. The officers and non-commissioned officers ofi the staff are, picked men with a distinct capacity for leadership. The authorities recognise the, value of the work carried on by the chaplains and the institutes, and welcome the co-operation, of all denominations. In addition, an increasing number of young men connected with our Churches are being drafted into the ranks, and their influence (which is a growing one) is on the- side of decency and order. Further, it is unquestionable that the new conception of 'manliness' is being grasped : by the rising generation. The day vis past when the beau ideal of a 'soldier and a man' was one whose dominant interest ran in the direction of profanity, drunkenness, and licentiousness. MEN OF GOOD INFLUENCE. "The day is past when one needs to apologise for the Christian ideal of manliness. At the camp I mtst a large number of men from all parts of this military area, who are active Church workers, and I could not help feeling that so far as they were concerned the camp presented them with an excellent opportunity of standing by their colours and of influencing for good men With whom- they would not otherwise be brought into contact. If there are a few weak men who are influenced for evil by camp life, I am satisfied that there are scores of others Who are benefited, and who come back to town stronger in character, and firmer in their adherence to the Christian ideal.''