DEFENCE NOTES

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1924, Page 2

DEFENCE NOTES

TRANSFER OF TERRITORIALS

A General Order recently issued clearly sets out when a Territorial may expect to be transferred to the Reserve. It reads:—"Commencing from the end of the present training year (May 31, 1925), Territorials will be transferred to the Reserve in June of the year in which t'hey attain the age of twenty-one years, provided they have performed all the service required of them up to that date. For every year during which 'lie was required to train and failed to fulfil his obligations the trainee shall be retained in the Territorial Force for an additional year, provided that in no case shall he be retained for this reason beyond June of the year in which lie attains the age of twenty-five years."

This is undoubtedly a good plan. To "fulfil Ms obligations" a boy or youth must attend a certain number of parades during each training year, and must reach a certain qualifyingstandard in musketry practices. The mere fact of attendance is not sufficient, however. A Territorial or Cadet must go to his parades with 'his uniform and accoutrements in good order and correctly put on, and when on parade must undergo "with due diligence" the various tasks set. Thus a lad is given a definite standard to reach each year, is encouraged to be tidy and neat in his dress, and to apply himself to whatever he is doing. The result is seen at the end of each training year, when, 011 the personal record file of those who have fulfilled their obligations, is entered against that particular year the letter "E." This signifies that that individual has been classed as "Efficient" for that year. Now it is easy to see where the reward for diligent service comes in. When, at the end of May each year, the personal files of all those who attain the age of twenty-one years during that year are sorted out from the remainder, a glance at the records shows a succession of "E's" or otherwise. The files with the succession of "E's" are kept out and those trainees are transferred to the Reserve. The other files are put backhand the possessors of these have to carry 011 for another year if there is one "L" missing, for two years if there aie two "E's" missing, and so on to the age of 25 years if necessary.^ That seems to be a fair proposition, and one well worth considering and remembering. The boy who diligently carries out the service his country requires of him, is freed from furthei service in the Territorial Force at flu; age of twenty-one. The boy round the corner, Avho perhaps at one time used to "dodge" parades and laughed at others "who did their duty, will now be retained on the active list for each year he was not efficient through having "dodged." It would then be a case of "he who laughs last." RIFLE SHOOTING. Rifle shooting appears to have a hright future in Whangarei. Apart from the local Rifle Club, the r>(>th Company Cadet Club, wTiich is now well established, is very active on the miniature range. The members, although by 110 means claiming to be all brilliant shots, are exhibiting the necessary degree of keenness which should keep their interest from lagging, and continual practice will very soon produce good shooting.

It is very gratifying to see that the Whanga.ei Defence Rifle Club is offering encouragement to Territorials and Cadets to join its ranks. The club has generously offered to admit bona fide Territorials and Cadets to member ship for half the ordinary subscription fees, and further, the boys wdio join will be eligible to compete for trophies in whatever class they may be placed. As the club has very wisely decided to classify - its members into three

separate classes this year, any boys who join would not have to compete in individual matches against the best shots, unless, of course, they are bril 1 ia tit enough to step amongst the club'.; front rankers immediately. On Tuesday evening, September 2, it is proposed to hold the retura miniature rifle match between the I'ifle Club and the f>(?t'ii Coinpanv ( a'lets. A team of seven will be (Im hch to represent the latter, and thev v. ill need to have tlie best seven they can produce. The choice will probly iest on the results of next Tuesday night's practice shoot, so there should be a full muster of Cadet Club members 1 iini night. It would nor be giving away court secrets to mention that tl'o Rifle Club intends to make it well worth wh : ,V- for a bov to be choK'Mi as n member ,>f the Cadet team, whether the boys succeed in lowering the veterans' colours i>r not. -M If B!: X.F A MIN \S MED A L. Air A. R. Benjamin donated a very handsome gold medal to the .Kith Com

pany recently. It was decided that it should be competed for in conjunction with the Imperial Challenge Shield competition, as every boy in the Company had to shoot in that match. The highest individual scorer was Cadet C. D. Tullock, who thoroughly deserves his win. He has missed very few opportunities of practising during the past few months, and the steady practice has obtained'the desired results in his case, as it will in the end in e v ery case. N.C.O. CLASSES. An opportunity is being offered for any member of the local Cadet Company to qualify for non-commissioned rank. A class is being held at the Drill Hall on Friday night each week at 7.30, and any member of the Company may attend. There arc vacancies for a number of promotions. By attending the N.C.O. class a boy will have the chance of learning, and of showing his ability to teach, others what he has learned, and also of exhibiting his powers of command and leadership. The promotions will be made according to the merits displayed at the N.C.O. class, and a boy's work and ability shown during the ordinary parades of the Company. Now is the time to grasp the opportunity and go along to the Friday night class. Tf will be too late w'lien the newly promoted N.C.O. 's put their stripes up.

EXAMINATIONS

Territorial Force half-yearly examinations for promotion are being held locally this week. On Tuesday the practical subjects were taken, and yesterday and to-day the written portions are being conducted at the Drill Hall. Three officers are sitting for the promotion examination, and three N.C.O.'s are seeking to qualify for first appointment to commission.