CADETS AND TERRITORIALS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16788, 4 May 1926, Page 6

CADETS AND TERRITORIALS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —It was with interest that * read the letter under this heading in a recent issue. The statements made are, I regret to say, deplorably true. But why should 'Soldier" accuse our officers for the state of affairs. They do their best for the regiment, and I am positive that their pride is wounded when the men turn out slovenly dressed. We territorials have been told times without number that boots, not shoes, must be worn on parade. Yet many disobey this instruction. Why? Because being in a town many do not possess boots and have not the inclination to spend money on boots just for military training. For the Infantry, riding breeches are forbidden and arc not issued. Those who parade in such are wearing their own personal properl/. They want to appear tidily dressed, which is not too easy with the pullovers, but they little realise that the appearance of the company is marred. As for the differently coloured uniforms, don't blame the men or the local Defence stores. When the men arc issued, with a uniform of various shades their language is of various unprintable shades; but the local stores have to issue what is given them, and I have found that an effort is made to match the different articles of clothing as much as is feasible. Still, there is no reason why the men should not be tidily dressed, as this part lies exclusively with the man's tastes and manner. The marching was not very brilliant and, I fear, displays a spirit of slovenliness which is becoming predominant in these days. Modern military training does not give much place to marching exercises, a.z most of the time is devoted to training in the fighting essentials of modern warfare. For five or six months of the year we do li hours' training once a forinight, and a seven days' camp in February. This, it must be admitted, is not verymuch, nad so marching is a secondary consideration in the training. "Soldier's" hint at indifference to what was done on Gallipoli is totally unwarranted. Does he remember that when the landing was made all of the present territorials were between 8 and 12 years of age; also that for several years it has only been on Anzac Day that a brief mention is made of the deeds of those gallant men. The "Anzacs" do not boast of their deeds; they are modest. When our turn comes to fight we will, in spite of our rough marching, uphold the honour of the "Glorious Waikatos" and do our bit just as well as the old Anzacs.— 1 am, etc.,

H. R. WHALLEY, Machine-Gun Section

May 3, 1926.