COMPULSORY DRILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13285, 18 September 1906, Page 7

COMPULSORY DRILL.

ADOPTED BY VICTORIAN SCHOOLS.

When Mr. G. E. Blanch, the headmaster of the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, visited England, Germany, and the United States some months ago, says the Melbourne Age, to study the education systems of those countries, he was particularly struck with the American system of compulsory military drill for all boys over 13 years of age. His report on this and other matters ; pertaining to education was published in. the Age on his return, and Mr. Blanch subsequently laid the idea of compulsory drill for our public and secondary schools before the Secondary Teachers' A?-1 sociation of Victoria. The association > appointed a committee, consisting of the headmasters of the boys' secondary schools, to | consider the question, and the ' committee came to a unanimous conclusion in favour of introducing compulsory military training into Victorian public and secondary schools. Mr. Blanch and- Mr. W. S. Littlejohn, headmaster of Scotch College, were deputed by the association to interview the Minister for Defence and bring under his notice the fact that all the headmasters of Victorian public and secqjidary schools were prepared to introduce the system into the schools if the Defence Department would provide instructors. The interview took place by appointment in the Minister's room, in the presence of the Minister, Brigadier-General Hoad, and the State commandant, Colonel Ricardo. Th© Minister for Defence, after hearing the particulars of the proposal and the requests, expressed himself in hearty sympathy with the movement, and promised that sufficient military instructors should be provided -by the Defence Department. The Minister for Defence expressed the hope that, in addition to the military training, miniature rifle ranges would be set up by the authorities of the chief schools in the playgrounds, so that- every boy might acquire, not only elementary military drill, but learn how to shoot as well.

It is stated that this is the first step of the kind taken in the British Empire to introduce compulsory military training into public schools. It is intended, as part of the course, . to instruct tho boys in the efficient use of a rifle. At present all the public and secondary schools have cadet corps, which aft l armed with rifles. By arranging for drill at different times the present supply of rifles will Ik? sufficient for the increased number to be instructed under the new proposal, but as the Commonwealth imports more arms application will lie made for an additional supply. Evert' boy over the age of 13 will have to undergo a course of, military training of not less than two years, and each school will decide for itself as to the number of lessons a week. Probably two will be fixed upon in most cases. The question of erecting miniature rifle ranges is under consideration by several of the school authorities, and tho Church of England Grammar School council, at its meeting, decided to erect a range. It i* hoped by the Secondary Teachers' Association that the movement for compulsory military training will be adopted throughout the Commonwealth, and it intends to take steps towards bringing this about.