A MILITARY CHAPLAIN'S VIEWS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13381, 2 April 1912, Page 6

A MILITARY CHAPLAIN'S VIEWS.

(To the Editor of "Hie Colonist.")

Sir, —I havo this afternoon returned from the ctKnp of Territorials at Tapawera. Some of those whose lads are there may be pleased to learn the impressions of the chaplains. It is a pleasure to assure parents and others that everything appears to be done that foresight could anticipate in the way of making the camp as comfortable as tho tented field will allow. The, tents .are well pitched and provided, water is plentiful and good, the rations are ample and excellent in quality, and no officer goes to moss until he sees that his men are supplied Only soft drinks .ire to be had and from Saturday until to-day there was not the faintest indication of intoxicants in the camp. The recreation marquee is supplied with a piano and the reading-room tent with writing materials, a variety of games and a quantity of reading matter. In a gathering of 500 men and a tent comradeship of half a dozen it is not possible to' keep the personal conduct and conversation- up to the ideal, but I am well satisfied from my intercourse- with the ■officers at Tapawcra, that both by piecp.pt and example they will'repress firmly everything objectionable and encourage- such young men as desire, cleanness of speech and behaviour. I run a man of peace, but I hold that vvvvy man who is worthy of having a home should be prepared to defend it r<ud that is the basis of national defence. The drill and discipline of military service promise in my judgment only good to this Dominion. lam only a chaplain, though of '20' years' standing, and Lieut.-Col. A. Bell, of Waikato an old soldier of the. Matabele war, says that chaplains are a "useless oxeresei.ee." Had I been sent to South Africa as the late Mr. Seddon publicly said was to be done, I would have had a better right to speak, but as it is-- I venture to say that if Lieut.-Col. Bell wishes to see the. compulsory training Act repealed he should just pursue this luk» and give, to the mothers of New Zealand the idea, that this is a Godless movement. Yesterday (Sunday) was as well observed as life iv a newly formed camp would permit. In combination with' Chaplain Hewtattjit was).a pleasure to conduct divine, service in which almost all took part. Before the. Romans invaded an enemy's country a priest of th;.' God of War cast a spear into the territory of the foe. Our forces are for defence, but we shall equally remember the God of battles. I am, etc., ■ james h. Mackenzie, Chaplain Lieut.-Col. Nelson, April Ist.