SUNDAY CAMPS AND CANTEENS

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12436, 8 April 1908, Page 5

SUNDAY CAMPS AND CANTEENS

Colonel Wolfe's Views.

(Per United Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, April 7. The question of Sunday camps and the controversy on the canteen question was referred to by Colonel Wfalfe, 0.C., in the course of conversation with a Star representative this morning. "Personally speaking, I see no reason why canteens should be allowed in Volunteer camps," said the officer commanding, "and there will certainly be no canteen at the Easter encampment which commences next week. I have nothing in particular to say against the canteen ; it is just that Ido not regard it as necessary. If countenanced, in my opinion the privilege would not be abused, but we are better off without it. The last canteen we had was in 1898, -when the men showed such a small desire to partake of the inducements offered that the licensee in charge of the booth lost money over it. The men have not asked for a canteen, and we are not going to have it in this district." Referring to the ecclesiastical strictures passed on the practice followed while in camp of Sunday drill, Colonel Wolfe said he could quite understand that the .clergy were naturally jealous in their desire to maintain the sanctity of the Sabbath, but he thought there were times when they might very well devote their attention to matters more within their own domain. The offlipers in charge could be relied upon to see that there was no desecration of the Sabbath. "We invariably have church parade," said the colonel, "and every man in camp is compelled to attend. I think I might reasonably point out that many are thus compelled to attend Divine service who are never seen inside a church when off duty. Again, it is far better to have men perfecting themselves in drill and discipline than to have them picnicing, boating, or following some other diversion. The last Sunday spent in Easter camp, if I remember rightly, there was church parade in the morning, and in the afternoon the men were allowed to receive their friends. To prove that there is an objection among the men to loafing about the camp, it is interesting to note that before the afternoon was over a number of infantrymen came and asked for work."