THE ROCKING HOUSE BRIGADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3601, 14 August 1912, Page 2

THE ROCKING HOUSE BRIGADE.

Gi'O THE EDITOR.) Sir,—There is one aspect of the case which appears to have entirely escaped tin; observation both of the military authorities and of yourself on the subject of the report of the Court-martial proceedings at the Garrison Hall, Gisborne. I refer to the position taken up by the single solitary soldier v. ho performed his duty and obeyed the order to “number off”—-in face of tho opposition of his rebellious “comrades” (?) who, I read, “jeered and hooted him for doing so, and became disorderly!” This 1 consider to be far more serious than tho actual charges for which the “soldiers” (?) were arraigned ! Quito recently Mr Tom Mann, Socialist and. Labor Leader, in London, was sentenced to six months imprisonment in the second division for that in an inflammatory speech to a meeting of strikers on Tower Hill, London, lit' called upon soldiers not to fire upon strikers, etc., and was arrested by the London police and charged with inciting soldiers to insubordination or mutiny! This, I think, fades into insignificance besides the other, because in the one case the offender is a “civvy;” in the other it is a case of a body of “military” (?) inciting one of their number to an act of insubordination! 1. hope the military authorities will note this one man’s action, as it stands out in my opinion as the one redeeming feature of a most disgraceful episode. If this man be sufficiently capable, lie should be promoted to noncommissioned rank. Leaving the Courtmartial now :

Whilst agreeing that compulsory military training is an excellent idea for the youth and young manhood of Now Zealand, the point that I desire to point out is this: When we consider that those who have made military service compulsory are not the men who actually do the service themselves, but the men over 21 years of age who vote —the armchair strategists and fireside tacticians—who evade the responsibilities of service; and that the men who actually do give the service ui'e the J'OUtllS botUT'Oll tilt ages of 14 and 21. who have no vote and no “say” in the matter at all! At the same time I note that some ingenious “conscientious objectors ’ also evade the combatant branch of the service by serving with that muchmaligned branch, the “Linseed Lancers,” or “Poultice Wallopers” (the Medical Staff Corps); or with that useful branch, the “slow and sures,” of “Ally Sloper’s Cavalry” (the Army Service Corps) ! And now I have a suggestion to offer to the military authorities: New Zealand has been first in the. field among the nations with universal adult female suffrage; now I would suggest that the ladies haying had a “say” in the matter by having a vote, the* logical inference would be that the ladies themselves should also bear their share in the defence of the country and bear arms. It has been said that the hand that rocks the cradle l ulcs the world, and that the best infantry are babies because they are alw" •• in arms; so I have great pleasure in submitting the following;—

“THE ROCKING HORSE BRIGADE.” Oh! We take her from the city, for we know We shall drill her and we’ll dress her up so neat; We’ll teach how to do the “Sentry Go.” And how to walk and place her tootsie feet; It doesn’t matter what she was before, Or what her “Johnnies” fancied her for name; '‘Swearing-In” is but a trifle. When she's got the bally rifle. We’ll call her Tottv Atkins all the same. Refrain: Oli! Tott.v. Tottv Atkins. You're a good 'un heart and hand; You’re a credit to your Colony, Though I don't cjuite understand What you'd look like as a “Kilter,” Or a Lifeguard or a “Blue,” God bless you. Tottv Atkins, Here's the Army’s love to you. In time of peace slie’l have a lively time. In barracks from “Reveille” to “Lights (Jut" ; And if Ted, or George, or “Danny” ever fail. There’s always lots of other chaps about; On leave-o’-nights you'll meet her in the streets, As happy at a schoolgirl and as gay; Then back site goes to duty. For New Zealand, home and beauty. And the noble sum of—say—four bob a day ! Oli! Tottv, Tottv Atkins, etc. In time of war "tis Tott.v to the trout. And we’ll ship her off in troopers to the scene. Old maids will no more sit at home and grunt, When the chief of all will he H.M. the Queen: And whether she > on Indiii s coi<il strand. Or pouring out her life-blood m >-OUdan; • To beep her colors flying. She’ll be painting, faking, dyeing.— Hut we'll call her Tott.v Atkins all the same! Oh! Toity, Tottv Atkins, etc.

JOHN WILLIAM FOSTER. (Lave N.C.O. 10th Batt. Royal Field Artillery).