TERRITORIAL PARADES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3188, 12 September 1917, Page 8

TERRITORIAL PARADES

MINISTER FAVOURS NEW SYSTEM,

Another appeal for the abandonment of Territorial parades during the war period was made by Mr. G. "Witty Ouccarton) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Ho said that the time of men and teams was being wasted 111 tho country districts by requiring men to attond afternoon parade?., The farmers felt that under present conditions it would bo better to confino training to the military camps and avoid calling out essential workers for Territorial parades. Sir James Allen said that any essential worker could secure exemption by applying to his group officer. But it was important that the Territorial system should be maintained. The farmers had always shown a disposition to oppose the system, but its good effects had been observed in the training camps The foundation laid by the Territorial tiamine was very valuable. ' Tho Minister added that lioknew from Ms own experience that evening parades were not very much value. He vould like members to considor the position. It would be much better from the military point of view to abolish afternoon and evening parades and week's training some time during the vear at the time most convenient to the public. The Defence authorities would Then get value for the work done He had asked tho branches of tho Union throughout New /,ea.land for n opinion 011 this subject, and lie hoped to irpl- favourable answers. Ho would ue "lad to substitute a weeks continuous training for the afternoon and (venmg parades. .