COLLEGE OLD BOYS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 126, 29 May 1915, Page 4

COLLEGE OLD BOYS

♦ — MILITARY ACTIVITY. A meeting of Wellington College Olcl Boys was held in Bethune's Buildings last night, Mr. M. C Barnett presiding. The Chairman said the meeting was the result of a discussion by the committee of the Old Boys' Association with regard to forming an Old Boys' Volunteer Company to provide military activity for the Old Boys who had gone through their territorial course, and now there being no new volunteer companies forming they were somewhat at a loose end. The idea was to have a company composed purely of Old Boys so trained that they would be available at a moment's notice to go anywhere on active service. . Mr Firth asked whether the proposed corps was to be a permanent corps of only during the currency of the war? The Chairman said the idea was for a permanent corps. Mr Firth said in that case he was in favour of the idea. He thought that at present those who enrolled in the National Reserve should be over the age of active service. He felt strongly that anyone who could enlist should do so, and by forming such a corps they might be keeping some young men here. He did not think anything mattered so much now as getting the young men to enlist. It might be that they would be all called ; he would be ready to go tomorrow if wanted. Everything should give way at present to the immediate necessity. Any of their young Old Boys should register themselves with the authorities. Before they should attempt to form such a corps they should be sure they had the numbers available. The Chairman said the ending of the war was of paramount importance, and all their energies should be lent to that end. For the credit of the Old Boys it could be said that a good proportion had already taken the field, but there were others eligible who should go If they formed such a corps as proposed, it might be said at one's why did th«y not go to the front? The*omr.rniUee realised that there was that difficulty in the way. They might, now confine them' selves to making; an Old Boys' section of the National Reserve. ( Mr. Firth further explained that the minimum age fot joining the National Reserve was supposed to be forty years. There were a great many member? nntar that age. The idea of the National 'Reserve was to enlist those too old to join the Forces. Mr W E. Bethune said that he was entirely in agreement with Mr. Firth's remarks. TTo susetestod that lliev should adjourn tho meeting till Wednesday. 9th. June, to endeavour to got a representa* tive meeting. This course was adopted.