ANZAC DAY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1919, Page 3

ANZAC DAY.

RETURNED SOLDIERS' PARADE. BEHAVIOUR CRITICISED. A communication from Captain D. M. Robertson, Assistant Adjutant-General, on behalf of the Officer Commanding the Military District, expressing strong disapproval of the conduct of some of the returned men who paraded on Anzac Day, met with a hostile reception at last evening's meeting of the Christehurch Returned Soldiers' Association. Its reading by the secretary was interrupted several times by hearty laughter. It was as follows: "The Officer Commanding the District wishes to draw attention to the unsoldier-like behaviour of manv of the returned soldiers while on parade on Anzac Day. The total disregard of the most elementary forms of discipline was especially noticeable during the march both to and from Hagley Park, and also white formed up at the saluting base. It is much regretted that attention should have to be drawn to such behaviour on the part of some members of your association, but it is felt that unless some guarantee can be given that better discipline will be maintained in future, the question of allowing returned soldiers to take part in any recognised military function will have to be seriously reconsidered. Such behaviour as playing two up while at the saluting base, insulting remarks passed by men in the ranks towards officers, smoking and calling out while on the march through the city, cannot be tolerated.'' Mr J. Petherick moved that the letter He on the table. He considered that those in charge of the parade had also acted in an "unsoldierlike manner." The commanding officer had saluted with his sword undrawn. (Loud laughter). The motion was seconded and carried. A motion that the letter be received, which was then moved, was ruled out of order.