REVIEW OF THE NINTH.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13979, 8 January 1916, Page 4

REVIEW OF THE NINTH.

[United Pkess Association.]

Wellington, Jan. 7. A review of the Ninth Reinforcements took place at Trcntham Camp to-day, an ii j-pection being mad© by the Governor (Lord Liverpool), who was accompanied by the Minister of Defence. Bri-gadier-General Robin, Colonel Gibbon, and other staff officers. An inspiring spectacle was presented Ijy the 3000 men, nud tfuvy made various movements1 ever rough ground in such a fashion as to win the warm approbation of thelargo number of civilians, relatives, and others who had'visited the carry}" for the. occasion. On his Excellency's tninny; up his position, the- Camp Band played tho National Anthem. A formal review took place in (the morning. In the afternoon the men wore again assembled to hear an address from the Chief of. Staff (Colonel 0.- M. Gibbon). Ho said : "I trust this will bo the last draft that will be- sent away with such short training. Nevertheless lam satisfied that you will he able to take your place in the ranks of t"-e urit ov vp-cri-ment at tho front and do us credit* Now, the m'o&i important point I have to talk to you about is d*> question of discipline. We don't foster discipline from abstract reasons, but because it helps us to beat the enemy— our solo dbjeefc. Regiments which have the/best discipline have the least Josses. That holds good at all .times in alt. fighting, but particularly in retreat. There .^sre only two- armies in the world; that can retreati with safety and fight a^ain next day, and they are tho Brifcisli and Rnssian. The reason why wo do it, and we always have done it in tho past, is because we have got discipline. You are now part of the British Army, which has done great things in lih© pfasfc,. and if you are to do as well you must have discipline. One reason why the Germans counted on beating us was that they did not consider we could ivaproviee armies i torn our people, whoare' independent; whoi*ar© democratic, iney, did not think we could organise. them to be formWiable in tho field, but w» have done so and can continue, ISoiv, the New Zealand .forces..tip .to .the prefcont -have-been restricted # to trench; fichtdna. Where you are going to tigufc I don't know. Wo hope it will be vi ft new field of action whore there will be movement, where -we can get tho enenrjv on the rup. But remember v th»t in euch circumstances it is much harder to maintain discipline than •in trenches, where you tawe daily routine to han^ on to •• You cannot manoeuvre without, discipline. Troops that halve not discipline cannot, beer fatigue cold, *r ..heat; they fc»?l to pieces, and may die off as a result."