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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 88, 20 May 1914, Page 6

The entertainment -.-which is : being organised by the' citizens of Christchurch for the Territorials who participated in> the cairilp at- Kowai amounts to a proper recognition of the .spirit, the'men displayed uritler smgtilarly adverse circumstances. .The weather made -a" sorry mess of the camp, and made the working conditions particularly trying. In the face of all the discomforts brought about by the turbulent weather, the Territorials made a brave showing, and entirely pleased General Sir lan Hamilton with their work and bearing under the adverse circumstances. The spirit displayed at Kowai was emphasised by the hooliganism that prevailed on one occasion at Takapau, where, for a space, a bunch of discontented fellows, aggravated "by the rain and

the slush, .Hand. The 'gathering arranged for lSatur«iay even- > ing in appreciation of the behaviour of the troops at' Kowai, promises* to be successful. The idea at the back of the movement is to be applauded, but it is to be hoped that the entertainment will not be construed by the guests merely as a reward for being good boys at school, as. it were. The thoughtfulness of the Mayor and the citizens who are cbroperating in project under notice betokens a practical interest in the ' welfare' of the Defence Scheme. *lt -is- an enterprise whiedi should be advertised : for the conof the, traducers;v,of. the scheme and the confuting- of; the silly canards whieh are being circulated at Home and elsewhere; with regards,to its results and prospects/ v.- Eos- / a. 'publication, said to be* connected with the Society of Friends 'in England? went, to great pains recently to create' a; h&d impression concerning' the OomitUßiwealth Defence- Scheme;' Figures were ■ quoted impressively of the.' number of convictions ; registered;-- against antfrUefenders, and a x stark headline - above the „ article spoke detentions-'J fortresses. .\. Malcontents have gene Home'from New. Zealand with' a. large, wail. ,against the. Defence authorities, here, and innumerable fictions regarding the tieatlnent of those who refused service,' - The High Cbmmissioner*qtiieMy exposed; tijese fab-, iieations; * However, reverting to the citizens ' it i? a gopd .thing foiv the scheme,. since it demonstrates to the ,men chiefly that a material interest is manifested-by thegeneral public im their training* " v