Criticise System Of High School Camp

Northern Advocate, 7 March 1945, Page 2

Criticise System Of High School Camp

To help meet the cost of the camp for 500 Whangarei High School boys undergoing a week of military training at Onerahi, the officer commanding Area 3, Whangarei, solicited a donation from the Whangarei Borough Council last night, councillors criticising the High School Board and the Defence Department. While in complete agreement with the idea of conducting the camp, the (Mr. W. Jones) was opposed to the boys having to pay 10/- each towards costs which were nearer 17/or 18/- per head. It was unfair that board should be charged at the hostel while the boys were in camp. Some better organisation should be possible, but he moved that a donation of £lO/10/- should be made. The school authorities should remit some of the money charged for board at the school during the period of the camp, said Cr. S. Oldcorn. Also the school authorities collected from each pupil for sport and some money from this fund should be available to assist. The camp was beneficial to the boys, but it was also propaganda for the army which should help to foot the bill. He opposed any donation being made while the present system obtained. Cr. S. J. Snow contended that the school authorities should contribute and that the Army Department should have approached council before the camp. However, me council would have to assist and he moved an amendment that a donation of £5 should be made.

In view of expenditure on defence the Defence Department wpuld not have noticed meeting the costs of the camp, said Cr. H. W. James. It was petty that there should be begging for subscriptions when some of the boys were .■ likely to be called up for service .in the future. The camp w*as the responsibility of the Defence Department and not that of the public of Whangarei. The motion donating £lO/10/- was carried.