MILITARY CAMPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 225, 22 September 1932, Page 9

MILITARY CAMPS.

REVIVAL THIS SUMMER.

ALL TERRITORIAL UNITS

SAME PAY RATES AS BEFORE,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

Military camps for territorial units will be held throughout New Zealand during the forthcoming summer, according to a statement made by the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minisfer of Defence, in an interview. This will be the first time camps have been held since the system of voluntary enlistment replaced compulsory training. Last year voluntary bivouacs were held, lasting four days in most cases, but on account of financial considerations it was not possible to grant pay to territorials. This year the camps will be of six days, and pay according to rank will be granted. The pay arrangement will be the same as in the days of compulsory training, ranging from 4/ a day for privates to •£1 1/ a' day for a colonel. In commenting on the decision, Mr. Cobbe said he was anxious to encourage the young men who had voluntarily joined the forces. The response had been excellent, and it was felt that the granting of pay would be some small compensation to men who had given a, vast amount of time, without recompense, to assist in building up the defence forces of the Dominion. It was now over six years since camps had been held for complete territorial units. Prior to the abolition of compulsory training;, the large size of the units made it impossible for the Government to admit all men to camps, and no more than two-thirds of the total strength were admitted. This arrangement did not give complete efficiency, but it was continued until 1929-30, when the compulsory system was abolished. In the following year there were no camps at all, as the voluntary enlistment scheme was not commenced for 12 months after the old system went.