Merits of boot camps

The furore from the ‘‘goody two shoes’’ brigade lambasting National for the concept of boot camps for wayward youth has been noticeable, although the public, going by talkback radio, favour the idea.

Unfortunately National linked the proposal to ‘‘military’’. That was a mistake; it would’ve been far better to have modelled it on Outward Bound.

I note Peter Gluckman, a former government chief science adviser, says boot camps don’t work. Well, compulsory military training (CMT) did. As one who did CMT in the late 1950s, the 14-week stint did wonders for almost all entrants. It built self-esteem, taught discipline and educated in special skills.

The wayward youth indulging in ramraids and other crimes simply