CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2678, 7 December 1909, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence on public matters i» welcomed at all times, but it must he distinctly understood that this journal is in no way associated with the ©pin ions of its correspondents. All loltors must bo legibly written and inscribed on one side of tlio paper only, otherwise they will’not bo* published. *An asterisk at the foot of a letter indicates that some portion lias been excised.]

THE DEFENCE BILL. [To the Editor.] " Sir, —Kindly permit me to make -one or two remarks oil the above. I am glad to see by the interesting, resume published in this morning’s paper that there is a claiise exempting anyone from military service or bearing arms “if the doctrines of his religion forbid him to do. so.” This is a concession which it is only proper should he made to the Quakers, Christadelpbians, and others. It is just possible that there may arise some .difficulty in deciding whether the doctrines of the religion of such as a a Spiritualist, Theosophist, Deist, etc., do or do not- forbid the use of arms, as many leaders of these sects have been strenuous advocates of peace. Let us hope that there will be impartiality in the attitude of the Defence authorities religious persuasions in the matter of church parades. Doubtless they will avoid the attitude of the English officer, which many years ago was reported in the press. After the men had been duly -assembled and drawn up in lme, be is stated to have given this order: “Church of England to the right, Roman Catholic to the left, fancy religions may fall out.” There appears to he no reference to uniforms, etc. It is true that it is only a minor pqmt, yet I should think some slight provision might bo made. Apparently it is the intention, on the ground of expense, to entirely dispense with uniforms so far as the militia or general service is ' concerned. Why, Air. Editor, should not a cockade be worn? The costwouui he little or nothing, and it would servo to distinguish the military from ordinary civilians. • „ As regards these for wlioni uniform.* will be provided—viz., the territorials, may I venture to suggest that the predominating khaki should be varied in manv instances by a tartan costume—the modification of orthodox Highland d’-ess —such as was worn by the Duke of Perth, Lord George Murray, and others in the eigtheenth century if one may judge by historical prints. buch a uniform would he at once pleasing to the eye, not particularly conspicuous in actual warfare, and indicative (to a very laree extent) of nationality. - 1 am ‘ * tC ’ r J. G. COS.