A DAGGER TO SPORT.

Evening Star, Issue 14636, 4 August 1911, Page 10

A DAGGER TO SPORT.

EFFECT OF MILITARY TRAINING. [Fsoic Ora SrECiAi. Correspondent.] AUCKIiAND. August 4. Between' October and the end of Aprilaccording to a district order just 'issued from the Auckland office of the Defence Department, those in the Territorial fortes will have to devote practically everv alternate Saturday afternoon to parades, musketry instruction, drill, and encampment. Whole, day parades will be held on the statutory half-holiday, thus debarring all young men eligible tor military duty from participating m tne_sport with which they are identified. This is looked upon as an increase of the- difficulties of dubs, and that it will detrimentally affect the success of summer pastimes, cricket, tennis, and rowing in particular, is certain. ■ . , A leading Territorial officer interviewed said that almost as a body the officers took the view that Rugby amateur football was the national game in New Zealand, and thev were determined to foster it by forming clubs as far us practicable out of the separate companies, Kugby football being the national game, it was regarded as more expedient, as well as in the interests of the military movements, to arrange to hold parades in the summer months, and thus the winter sports would not be affected. Of course, tho summer game* would, in that case, be touched to a certain extent, but the view was taken thai it would be better to do that than detrimentally affect the nations! same, but he thought that the sports cluhs. either summer or winter, could rest assured that the defence authorities would give consideration to their interests consistent ■with militarv requirement, and that the sum total of "interference when the defence scheme was in ful lworking order would be nothing to complain of. The view-point of cricketers was voiced by a prominent official, who anticipated very serious interference with tho game, especially as military service would be confined largely to the summer months, and because cricket required so mm'h attention in the matter of practice, there would, he believed, be a big outcry from cricketers, and unless the interests of the game were protected compulsory training would be responsible for the downfall of the sport. Tennis and rowing enthusiasts regard the militarv movement in somewhat the same light, and are apprehensive as to the effect that will follow on mem- j bership of the- clubs. It may be mentioned that the military authorities recognise that the obligatory | training will seriously inconvenience sports clubs and athletics generally, and with the object of avoiding unnecessary clashing of interests a circular letter is being sent to the numerous clubs giving prominence to the dates fixed for parades three months ahead. By doing that it is considered sports clubs will be able to satisfactorily arrance gatherings without clashing with j parades. •