“TESTER” ON CADETS OPPOSED BY BOARD

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29767, 9 March 1962, Page 12

“TESTER” ON CADETS OPPOSED BY BOARD

An attempt to find out how parents felt about cadet training failed in a vote among members of the Board of Governors of Burnside High School last evening. A solitary “aye” from the mover, Mr B. Zeff, supported the idea. Mr Zeff said since November, when he gave his views at a meeting of the board, many had told him “how right” he was. He suggested a questionnaire asking: “Are you or are you not in favour of compulsory cadet training?” “I wouldn’t suggest that,” said the headmaster (Mr C. Cross). “We don’t send out testers to parents before deciding other ’activities. I think the board should decide.”

He objected to the term “compulsory.” Some boys with genuine objections were excused from training. “Unfortunately there is always the boy looking for the easy way out, and a lot of these boys would receive support from their parents. “I think the type of drilling we have here is good tor a boy give the ones looking for ttie easy way out, a chance, and they will opt out” Mr Cross said. Mr Zeff said it was a fact—and services officers agreed —that cadet training in New Zealand was on its way out. His objection was nothing to do with drills: it was uniforms and rifles he was trying to get rid of. He said he came to these views after seeing one war as a ohiia and going through another.

“Besides, it is of no interest to the services to have cadets putting on uniforms and running around with 303’s when they don’t want to. “The War Office is not interested in this. They want people who are Interested in careers in the service. If there are those who want to become soldiers, we should provide a course tor them—not put all the boys in uniforms they won’t want to wear,” said Mr Zeff.

Discussing a physical fitness programme run by the

officer in charge of cadets at Ashburton Technical College, the chairman (Mr W. J. Gardner) said: “Better liaison between physical fitness instructors would be valuable. But pushing boys with rifles on their shoulders around a paddock is probably less expensive than a proper course.”

The motion put by Mr Zeff might be dangerous, Mr A. F. Foley said. “If we take a referendum on this we will have people wanting referendums on corporal punishment, cats, and everything else.” Mr J. F. W. Greenhill, who did not give any opinions, asked to have discussion taken in committee. This was opposed by Mr L. Johnson.