NATIONAL RESERVE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2636, 6 December 1915, Page 6

NATIONAL RESERVE

A BATTALION PARADE. Whilst all credit is due to those who turned out to the : battalion parade of the National Reserve at the Nairn Street Reserve on Saturday afternoon, it was most disappointing to see such a poor muster, there being only some 160 men on parade. These represented No. 1 Battalion of the ■ Wellington Regiment, the strength being inado up as follows :— Thorndon and Wadestown Company, under Major A. W. Newton 50 Wellington South Company, under Major J. P. Firth 42 Wellington East Company, under Major Kupli 44 Brooklyn, ICelburn, and Karori Company (mixed), • -under Major Tennant 32 Total 168 Having marched up in companies to the windy plateau that overlooks the city, the battalion, in charge of Major 0, B. Morison, was drilled in field movements, and considering that it was the first occasion on which they had assembled for such a puipose, they-ac-quitted themselves very well indeed. In the advance in line, the Reserve maintained an almost perfect line from side to side of the Reserve, while the march past in column was creditably performed, a couple of drummers beating the time in good style. Initially, it should havo been stated that the battalion formed up for inspection by the Commandant, Colonel Porter, _ C.8., who was attended by Major Davis, second in command, and Major E. Davy, District Adjutant. Captain Hector M'Leod was adjutant. At the conclusion of the manoeuvres, the battalion formed up in hollow square, and were addressed by the Commandant, who said that the appeared to he proficient and enthusiastic in the performance of their duties, and the men marched very well. It was evidence that a good many men had been training quietly and earnestly. It was due to Major Morison that the parade was arranged, and his object in doing so was a laudable one, as the Reserve had not been moved in battalion before. There could have been a much stronger muster, but he did not expect more. That would improve later, as the Government had been approached as to the equipment of the Reserve with aims, and he hoped that the time was not far distant when they would be asked to parade with arms. The Minister had promised to do his utmost to get the arms. He noticed that some of tho men were not wearing tTie badge of the Reserve. As it was the only distinguishing badge they had, he thought they should all wear it on parade, and, indeed, at all times, as a mark of service. Colonel Porter, in referring to tho difficulty wliich had been experienced in getting the men to turn up to pnracles, said it was a case for thoso officel-s who were responsible for units. He recommended that tho men should be classified. There were young and middle-aged men who were quite able to do the most arduous drill, whilst others ivho were older, but just as enthusiastic, might be trained in depot and supply work, and in musketry. He would like to impress on officers to exercise their discretion in classifying their men, so that every man could be interested in tho work of the National Reserve.