GOLD-LACED OFFICERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14042, 28 October 1909, Page 3

GOLD-LACED OFFICERS.

PLAIN TALK BY A SOLDIER. In his book, entitled "My Service Davs," Major-General Sir Norman Stewart asks the following pertinent question: Why is it so many staff officers became "superior," when the superiority only exists in a brass-bound head ornament? and answers it in this way: This does not put more brains under the hat, at all events not sufficient to truthfully explain or account for the swollen condition of the head. The staff-officer with the offensive-smell-under-the-nose-appearance is one of daresay every other service. He is invariably grovelling to bis superiors on the staff whilst almost insulting to the regimental officer, who as a rule the abominations of our service, and 1 soars far above him as a component part of the machine nt work. On this subject I can speak with a certain amount of authority, having served on the staff in containments and the field, and wherever I found the brim of my "cbapeau" fitting tight the best antidote was immediate association with the nearest regimental officer, and the avoidance for the time being of brother brass hats.

Reduce the pay of the brass-bound ones, and I think they will become more useful. On the other Land what a veritable blessing a really good staff officer is. In India an uncle or an aunt, a pretty wife, or numerous visits to Simla will secure you any of the fashionable billets going. Stay in the plains and do the work with your regiment, and you will remain a beast of burden to the end of your days unless you get a chance of distinguishing yourself in active service. Seize your chance, and in a moment you will be translated from the flat-roofed regimental officer to the study in " red and gold," for to give the devil his due, merit in tlie field is speedily rewarded, examinations and theoreti-<"-i] osa"iinati"ns are brushed aside. Some of the best staff officers T have met have not been entailed to the magic letters P.S.C. after their names, whilst others possessing letters have only been noted for their allround incompetence. There are many heroes who are socially classed as fools, but wise, men aire not nil heroes. " Xlnnners " is a qualification which should bo insisted on when choosing staff officers.