TERRITORIAL CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2996, 6 February 1917, Page 8

TERRITORIAL CAMPS

SHOULD THEY BE DISPENSED WITH ? IN FACE OF SHORTAGE OF LABOUR At the monthly mooting <>f Hie Wellington Chamber of Oninmoivn yesterday, a copy of a letter (lircnlcd by the Napier Chanißer of Coiihiumtr to the Hon. Minister of IMenni whs received. The letter rend: "Dear sir, —I am instructed by my committee to soud you it copy of the following resolution:— " 'That this Chninlicr, whilst fully recognising the viiluo of the Territorial system, rnqiioNtrH the-Govern-ment to diH])ont>o with the Territorial oamps this yonr on account of tho shorlace of liilionr. or failing dispensing with the. enmps alto-, gother, not to hold wimps p.t any date bctweon March 20 and April 20.' "Members of my Chamber hope that you will tako tho proposal very seriously into consideration, owing to tho largo number of men who have gone on active service .staffs are very much depleted, and practically all iirms are working siiort-lianded, and it seems reaßonablo that these canipß could be dispensed with during the strenous period of the war. It may be'argued that the young men should be given all the training possible to lit them for active service, but I think you will agree Trith members of my Chamber in thinking that in the first week of military camp they will learn as much as, or considerably more than, they would do in their week ac .a Territorial oamp. I am instructed, however, to point out that the first part of tho resolution fully recognises the value of the Territorial systom, and tho Chamber only suggests that the camps should be dispensed with at present. So far as the infantry at Napier is concerned, the camp has been fixed to commence on March 27, aud close on the day be. fore Good Friday, so that unless an alteration is made young men will he taken out of the shops and offices just at the busiest time of balancing and stock-taking, and on thoir return theywill be off for three or four days for their Easter holidays, which makes a very severe tax for employers at the very busiest period of the year. £t is sincerely hoped that this decision will be altered.—l am, etc., (Sgd.) Chas. Douglas, Secretary." The council was not inclined to Mjpport the Napier Chamber in its proposal to move against tho (holding of the camps altogether. Mr. W. Bridson said that last year auxiliary camps were held, when tho staffs were divided. They had to make sacrifices, and he did not think it was tho duty of the Chamber to' place any obstacles in the way of the training of youths. Hβ could understand howit hit Napier, whoso busiest season was between January and April. They then worked about sixteen hours a day, but had comparatively nothing to do in tho winter. They might agree to the proposal in regard to an alteration in the dates. That part of the resolution was endorsed, and it was further decided that the defence authorities might fix dates for the camps that would cause a minimum of inconvenience to business people in tho various districts. The time of the camps has been fixed! by the Defence .Department so that men may go into camp with any unit during any of the months of February, March," April, May, or even June. It is no longer necessary to apply_ direct to tho officer commanding the district for exemption from attendance at the oamps, but all such applications should he addressed to the group commander, the area officer, or the unit commander. Tho Defence authorities particularly urgo Territorials to inform employers as soon as possible of the date of going into tamp. Employers who wish to gain exemption for any of their employees should' make application at as early a date as possible.