Molly-Coddling

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5961, 17 July 1912, Page 1

Molly-Coddling

BAD FOR (THE HiACE. There is a hitter wail going to skies from the coddling parent and the coddled child (says Melbourne Herald). Their grievance is the hardship of the drill, particularly on holidays and Saturday afternoons. I'his maudlin cry for sympathy is rather an odd sort of 'manifestation of Australian grit and character. We take a pride in the hardy pioneers—our forbears—who crossed the seas in the old windjammers, to land in a wild country without the comforts or decencies of living a s we reckon such to-day. It is the third generation that has become slack, complaining of its hard work and the need for recuperating week-ends in th B country.

Really, this molly-coddling is the best proof that tho discipline of drill has not ccjne a moment too soon, and that it is badly needed to\ buck up tho youths of the country at all. In many other countries the unfortunate people, toiling without holidays, and for long hours, give their rights, and days to drill and rifle practice, Sundays included. To devote a few Saturdays a year to drill is, thereiore, not asking mctoh of the young Australian. In New Zealand, the Defence Acts 0 f 1909 and 1910 provide for compulsory training from the age of 12 to that of 25, with live years more in the reserve. During this time the soldier has to put in thirty evening drills, 12 half-holi-days, and seven days continuous training in camp. That is not exacting preparation for defence. lY'ot New Zealand's general staff seems to regard it as a means of preparation for a " thoroughly effective citizen army in the future." If the Cadets value their Saturday afternoons so much, it would 'bo easy, especially during the summer mouths, for them to start drill at 5 a.m. or 5.30. The noveUv of early rising might be disagreeable |at 'first; but that is the time oi the day When drill would be pleasant exercise.