MILITARY OFFICERS' TRAINING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 15, 19 January 1910, Page 11

MILITARY OFFICERS' TRAINING.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir, — I thank you for publishing my letter of the 12th inst. on the above subject, also for mention of same in your leader — "Lord Kitchener and the Colonial Soldier." You favoured me with a fine discharge of heavy artillery fire; the shots, however, went wide — some overhead. No damage to report. lam glad to say the flag that stands for equal opportunity for all is still flying, and the cry T6 "no surrender!" I do not think I misunderstand the true meaning of the movement. I have looked up your report of the first meeting of the promoters, and -I find these words, "Under the scheme laid before them they were to enter as privileged officers, instead of the ordinary rank and file." A nasty thing said in a nice way. You hit workers on a sore spot when you remind them that " a university career in this country is, fortunately, not the privilege of a particular class. " Recent reports of examination and tests of those qualified to continue their education at college show that brain is not a monopoly of the well-to-do; the well-to-do only can take advantage of those privileges. A strong point is sought to be made of a chair of military science in Sydney University. That may be ; it's . funpy how the learned professors do delight in quoting ancient history. Let us have the latest — right up to date. Is it not a fact that tho Cook-Deakin Bill was amended, and that the Federal Parliament has decided that all promotions " shall be through the ranks." I have not heard of a school of military training in Australia, but will not be surprised if such a school is established on the lines of the American system so highly spoken of by the Federal commandant, who has so recently returned from a visit to America. The American cadet officer has a certain sum allowed him for expenses. He must not receive any outside assistance from his parents or any other source without special leave from the authorities^ — leave very seldom given. Surely, it is right that promotion shall be through the ranks; that cadets shall be taken from the best men in the permanent force, the best in Wellington College Cadets, St. Patrick's, and the best m every college corps and volunteer company in the Dominion? And last, but perhaps of most importance, the best use should be made of the crop of young men who a few years ago were State school cadets ; young lads who have shown the true soldierly spirit, have kept touch with the military as far as possible, and are to-day serving in the ranks of our volunteers. ' If these young men do not possess the necessary education, teach them (they will be found apt pupils) what they are required to know, but not necessarily from a chair in a university — golden chairs valued at three thousand pounds a year. The promoters ai'e diligently angling for Lord Kitchener's endorsement of their classical scheme. IJet me remind them that his lordship is a man of surprises. One never knows what he will

say or do. At Townsville, on the coast of Queensland, he is reported to havo said that " Kissing Point is a nice place for a lord." In Brisbane he upset all calculations, and went for the best. May he do so again, and send chairs and professors kite high by telling them to burn their books on ancient tactics. — I am, etc., WORKER. Wellington, 16th January, 1910.