Cocks letter diary, 1916-1919 / Verner Cocks - Page 478
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[Page 478]
9.
ization which again would take length of time. These combined periods would be times of difficulty in maintaining a high standard of conduct unless two precautions had previously been taken, viz.,
(1) To create in the minds of the soldiers a true expectancy of what may be necessary, so that they may not feel suddenly and unreasonably baulked in their natural desire for a quick home return.
(2) To have planned and ready for immediate execution an organization for turning their natural activities into useful channels, strongly appealing to their self-interest and their patriotism.
If an organization is provided which has been justifying itself in actual work in the limited opportunities afforded by actual warfare, which by careful tests has arrived at a reliable statistical estimate of the various kinds of training desired and has arranged a skeleton formation by which this training could be provided with despatch, this dangerous period of transition may not only be passed through without disaster, but may be turned to uses of supreme value to the State and to the men.
The period of transport back to Australia is specifically included in this dangerous period of transition and is one that would be put to the good uses designed.
The flower of young Austrlian manhood is to be found in our forces here, and a great opportunity is presented of inspiring them with high ideals of citizenship, and of arousing within them an intelligent interest in the great problems confronting society during the period of reconstruction following the war.
Courses of lectures and studies would be conducted by the ablest minds in the United Kingdom and in the A.I.F. These would be followed up by Study Circles on the lines of the Workers' Educational Association, conducted by specially expert members of the A.I.F. The men serving here are worthy of every assistance that can be rendered