STARS AND STRIPES.

Observer, Volume XXXV, Issue 48, 7 August 1915, Page 2

STARS AND STRIPES.

And Smart New Zealanders

THERE is ample evidence that young New Zealanderis are capable of becoming very fine soldiers. On a certain occasion 15 years ago a New Zealand corps had returned from service in South Africa. Colonel Pole-Penton, then commandant, sent for the regimental sergeant-major. "How many men have you, sergeant major?" "One hundred and fifty, air!" "How many can you recommend! for commissions'?" "One hundred, sir!" The

commandant was amused, but thetruth is that of ijhose 150 men 112 did become officers, and , ia very targe proportion of those alive are still officers. We believe that the profession of arms hast a distinct fascination for New Zealanders, and it is a matter of pride that so many young men who niave become British , officers have made splendid advancein the profession and are a credit to* the land they were born in. As soldiering is immeasurably the most important profession in the Empireat the present time, the New Zealanders who hold commands, whether the command is a 'brigade or a half platoon, are the people in whose hands are the destinies of the eplendlid young men of the rank and file.

Because of exceedingly heavy casualties, the man who is a corporal on Monday may be a lieutenant by Saturday—in fact promotion in wa,r is a matter ! of weeks, and promoitioai in peace a matter of. years—>at least in a "regular army.. The typical New Zealand politician spoke the other diay in the House. Mr CbWin, of Buller, deplored the , fact that young New Zealanders of goiod education were going to the Old Country, where they received commissions in the Imperial Army. Said Mr Colvin: "Since Ministershave stated! that the first duty of New Zealanders is to their own , country, steps should be taken to secure the services of these young men with the Dominion's forces." There you have the typical political town pump protruding its absurd. H>ose in the characteristic way. Thefirst duty of any New Zealander is to the Empire. This isn't a West Coast >var or a general election or even a road' board meeting. If theNew Zealand Government can't handle the human material fast enough it is the doity of the material to gohence and get to work in the first set of harness that will fit. It is extremely gratifying that young New Zealanders who might' be privates inNew Zealand corps find/ no difficulty in becoming officers in the Imperial Army. Their enterprise is creditable. The mam who journeys toEngland on an off chance is a pei-som who should not be played with likea pawn by New Zealand politiciansHe is worth, a better fate.

It is the super-Imperial Army that is fighting in Flanders and the su-per-Imperial Army that is facing hell 1 in Gallipoli. New Zealand is deeply gratified that (her splendid soldiers are> worthy to fight for the King, but New Zealand! has no right to jerk the town pump and ask why the credit won by Captain Binks of Buller, should not be. given to Reefton instead of the Cheshire Regiment or the Glosters. Politicians, ■ whether they belong to the West Coast or the far South or the roadless North, have to be thankful to the whole of the King's Armies and not to the Inangahua platoon or the Inveroargill regiment or the Kawakawa squadron for the privileges they at this moment enjoy. If New Zealand can supply any officer, noncom, or man to any of the t King's forces, whether they" are raised in Britain, Africa, India, :Oanada, Australia or New Zealand, this country is doing 'her job well. The politician, for selfish, advertising, alone-we-did-it, would damp the ardour of the boy who wasn't wanted in a New Zealand corps, and! who took the next boat for Home or Australia burning to strike a blow for' the King as well as for the West Coast. It doesn't matter who prepares the blow, as long as it is launched, and the "educated young New'Zealander" who leads a platoon of a regiment raised in Britain is doing his duty to New Zea L la,nd and to the Empire. Grod bless him and good! luck to him!

There is something more in it than may appeal to the genius of Mr Colvin of Buller. The Army has never been truly Imperial before. The free entrance of colonials into historic British regiments, either asofncers or in the ranks, will gain for colonial officers and men a recognirtion and status never before accorded. Ideal homogeniety may be the • outcome of this great Imperial 1 fraternity. There is, for instance, no--

ihinig but red tape that precludes the exchange of officers between any two ports within the Empire. There is to be no more playing at being an officer as a social recreation for many, many years, but it cannot yet be believed that the powerful caste rules of the British Army will permit of "democracy" in the commissioned ranks when the war is over. One is glad to have Colonel AHen applauding young New Zealanders, even though they fight for the Empire with King's troops not raised in a New Zealand electorate. There is •a slight suggestion: if "young men. of good education" who obtain commissions in the Home Army are not retained and made to join the Dominion forces, those forces may not be iso well led. Every kind of experience that can be gathered by young New ZeaJandersi in any part of the world is for the benefit of the West Coast and the East Coast, the South Coast and the North Coast—and the Empire, and any good geography will demonstrate that the Empire extends several chains beyond the Bul'-sr Gorge.