Reaction To New Cadet Plan

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30531, 28 August 1964, Page 1

Reaction To New Cadet Plan

Only two Christchurch schools, both private, have decided to continue with school cadets under the new training scheme. The two State boys’ high schools and two Roman Catholic colleges have not settled the question. Seven of the coeducational schools have voted to drop cadets, and the two others want to continue on a limited basis. On this return it seems that, in Christchurch, the Ministry of Defence will easily achieve its aim of reducing the School Cadet Corps by about 50 per Cent. Quotas have been fixed for the three military districts. The state of discussion is as follows: Continuing under new programme: St. Andrew’s College and Christ’s College. No decision: Christchurch Boys’ High School, Shirley Boys’ High

School, St. Bede’s College and Xavier College. Cadets dropped: Christchurch West, Papanui, Cashmere, Riccarton and Burnside high schools plus Hillmorton and Mairehau, young schools which did not start cadets and have decided not to enter the scheme; All these schools are co-educational. Seeking restricted continuation: Linwood High School (wants to continue voluntary scheme) and Aranui High School (wants to continue with an elite corps). Decision deferred indefinitely: Christchurch Technical College. Because of the agreement to merge the college with the Christchurch West High School to form a new Hagley high school, the cadet question has been held over for consideration with amalgamation arrangements'..

The Ministry of Defence wants to reduce the School Cadet Corps from 54,000 to 20,000, consisting of 13,000 Army cadets, 6000 Air Force cadets and 1000 Navy cadets. Highest Quota

The Southern Military District quotas are:—Army 5000,

Air Force 2000, Navy 300; a total of 7300. The Northern Military Distrists total quota is 6850 and the Central district quota 5850.

It was expected that the South Island response to the new cadet scheme would be better than the North Island’s. The South Island quota will be strengthened by the decision of all but one Otago school to continue.

The Southern Military District figures are not yet complete. The decisions of the two boys’ high schools and the two Roman Catholic colleges could be a significant factor. New Scheme All schools have been told that in future they must complete a minimum of 30 hours’ cadet training a year in addition to five days of barracks: that they must meet fixed officer requirements; that they must nominate sufficient officers and cadets for annual courses of instruction; and that they must meet new standards of efficiency, interest and enthusiasm, if units are to continue.

If numbers are not sufficiently reduced by the decisions of school boards, there will be further cuts judged on efficiency.

Schools retaining cadets will get a better deal than in the past. They will receive a capitation grant of Is (compared with the present 6d) for every cadet; they will receive more modern equipment at a total cost of up to £20,000 a year; they will have more service instructors; and they will get a new cadet syllabus involving less “bull ring” drill and more adventure, leadership, fieldcraft, and weapons training.