THE SENIOR CADETS.

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 114, 10 November 1917, Page 7

THE SENIOR CADETS.

Cadets in Country Areas. New scheme obligatory training.— Four quarterly half-day muster parades. Old scheme. —Undev the old training scheme the cadet in a country area was required to perform the following training annually: (a) Thirty-four drills of 1£ liouts each; (b) six half-day parades of three hours each; (c) prescribed course of musketry. Reduction.—The new scheme therefore gives a total reduction of 34 drills and two half-day parades (or a total of 57 hours). . ■ . Cadet Units in Town Areas. Present scheme of obligatory training. —(a) Thirty-four drills of I 3 hours each annually ; (b) six half-day parades; (c) prescribed course of musketry to be included •in (a) and (b). The only reduction in the training of the .cadet in town areas is that the musketry course will be included in the drills and half-day parades. REASONS FOR DECISIONS. In connection with the above revision, the point which military experts stress is that suspension of training in the Territorial Force how would immediately react on the Expeditionary Force, inasmuch that it would mean decreased efficiency' and slacker discipline (the most vital things to an army in the field), while to stop Senior Cadets training would be to destroy continuity, which the military and consequently civilian standpoint would >be a very severe loss indeed. Regarding the retention of the majority of the instruction for the Cadet units in town areas, it is pointed out that the present requirements impose the least possible strain on cadets, the hours I fixed, for drills being in the evening, and being considerably less than onp parade of 1^ hours per week. In the country areas the position of Cadsts is altogether different, they being required to travel considerable distances to attend parades, and their work in the production of foodstuffs being of the utmost importance in the present crisis. The same, it is admitted, applies to an even greater-ex-tent in the case of country Territorials. It is maintained, nevertheless, with reference to the decision arrived at, that it cannot be questioned that to an employer in a country area the loss of the services of a Cadet for four half-days a year, or of a Territorial for one short camp of seven days at the most suitable period, is much to expect during a time of sacrifice and peril. Neither, it is held, can an employer in a town area find gra.ve cause for objection in a Cadet in his employ having to attend an evening drill less than once a week, or a. Territorial attending 20 evening drills a year, plus one short camp of seven days at the most suitable period for his business. ■ .

PROVISION FOR EXEMPTIONS. In time of war when military training is so essential, and when no one can say what will be the outcome of the present struggle, the hope is expressed that the country -will, willingly accept th(» revised training programme which the military experts of the Dominion consider is the irreducible minimum to secure efficiency. It is desired Especially emphaisise that every facility will be 2>rovided for obtaining exemption from both Territorial and Cadet obligations where employers show this to be necessary. AH applications of any description connected with the training of Territorials arid Senior Cadets sfcould.be made to the oiEeer commanding the district in whiei

the employer resides and should be lodged as far as poEsiWe in advance. The annual camps will be held in central spors adjacei.t to the unite which wiil feed them, each military dfctrkt probably having four centralised camps. These will ,be staffed by skilled and competent instructors, who will be divided into instructional group 3 to provids progressive training to all attending.