CADET TRAINING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 226, 18 June 1920, Page 7

CADET TRAINING

RELATION TO THE SCHOOLS

DISCUSSED'BY EDUCATION COUNCIL The restoration of tho junior cadet system and , the suspension of general ■n ~ in ' n § werß suggested by Mr. R. M Cnllum, M.P., at the meeting of Education yesterday. Mr. M Callum moved;

That the council is of.the opinion tho system of military ' training of cadets should be restored and carried out by school teachers (with extra payment), and the present expensive system of military training suspended for a period of at least ten years, in order tlfot the present expenditure of money on unnecessary military officers training and equipment may be devoted towards further .relieving (1) Disabled soldiers, (2) tho dependants of those killed Or .disabled, and (3) repatriation generally. Mr. M'Callum said that hi? felt ho ought to raise his. voice against tho beginnings of militarism in New Zealand. TMo Dominion had no real Minister of Defence, at present, and tho money that Was being paid to professional soldiers could very well go to teaclitts and disabled soldiers. Mr. M'Cnlliim secured leave to amend his motion by qualifying the word "suspended" by "partially," The Hon, T, D. Fleming, 51.L.C., supported tho amended motion. Ho thought that the junior ondet system-had been of very, great value in cultivating a sound Eiitriotio spirit among the boys, ' Tho dominion had plenty of trained soldiers at tho present time, and all that it.iioeded for defenoo purposes , during; the next few years skeleton organisation. The cadet, training dovoloped self-reliance and manhood. .'

Professor Mnomillan Brown thought that the motion entered the political field, tie moved that tho council Bhould proceed to the next business. Dr. Anderson ruled that tho council could discuSs the question of cadet training, but it could, hot discuss the general question of military training. I The motion to proceed to the next business was defeated, and Mr. M'Cnllum then further aniohded hie motion by omitting the words After "ten years." Mr. .3. Howell Moved as fill amendment: "TWat the council is of opinion that all training of pupils, whether mental or physical or military,, in regular attendance at school lie entirely in the hands of the education authority in control of tho school." He said, that at present there was a, division of control between the education authorities Aiid tho military authorities. This was not desirable. For example,. the military authorities had required that boys should attend drills ftt night.. No educational authority would approve of this arrangement. it was found principle that all training of tWe children should be tinder the control of the educational authorities. .

The amendment was not seconded. Captain J. K. Kirk thought that Mr. M'Callum's motion had an -underlying motive. All were agreed that this spirit of militarism must bo kept down, but the restoration of tho junior cadet system did not seem to be a logical method of attaining that end. The junior cadet system, regarded ag an organised game, had been a success. But at that time the Dominion Rid not, possessed a system of compulsory military training, and tho junior cadets lmd been a training ground for volunteers, With universal service in operation, the Dominion did not need to Start drill training at the ago of 'twelve years, particularly as the curriculum Was already heavily loaded, and, as with tlve raising of the school age, the bovs would automatically become liable to military training at 14 years of age, while still at school. Dr. Anderson said the disadvantages of the junior cadet system, considerably outweighed thfe advantages. The development, of thfe boy scout movement and of organised rfames would do more for the country than the junior cadet system could <10. , Mr. M'Callum, in reply,, said he wished to see military training stop at the ago of 20 or 21 years, and so would like to see the training start early. He Withdrew the motion.