DEFENCE AND SPORT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 10 May 1912, Page 5

DEFENCE AND SPORT.

DEPUTATION TO GENERAL

GODLEY

BiT TELEGRAPH—PEESS ASSOCIATION.

WELLINGTON, May 9. Representatives of the Rugby Union, Football Association, and Hockey Association waited on General Godiey today in reference to the number of daylight parades called for this month, in particular the parades called for June 1 and 3 in Newtown Park. General Godiey said there was no other suitable location, and the deputation accepted the explanation and withdrew tae objection. With reference to the parades called for this month, General Godiey said these were rendered necessary owing to the fact that the uniforms did not come to hand earlier, also because a certain number of parades had to be held before the end of the volunteer year. It was very unlikely that similar circumstances would arise again. The deputation made it clear that they were not opposed to military training. On the contrary, they supported the scheme, and recognised that defence had to come first and all forms of sport second. They expressed the opinion, however, that it would be a very good thing if the Territorial system and various forms of sport could be run hand-in-hand, and suggested that it might be possible to give notice of daylight parades to the sports bodies some time before the date was i fixed, and that as many daylight parades as possible be held in the dead season

General Godley said that in future all daylight parades would probably be notified a considerable time ahead, but pointed out that the basis of the system of the Territorial scheme was a continuity of training.