YOUTHS FOR TRAINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 8

YOUTHS FOR TRAINING.

THIS YEAR'S TRANSFERS.

STRICTER MEDICAL TESTS. FIRST BATTALION POSTINGS. Transfers to the reserve of territorials who completed their term of service with the Ist Battalion, Auckland Regiment, at the end of the last military year have now been completed. This year 255 men have been placed in the reserve, and about 200 have been posted from the cadets for three years' training with the battalion. As a result of transfers and new postings the present strength of the battalion is 39 officers and 786 other ranks. This number is considerably smaller than it was two years ago, owing to the introduction last year of new posting regulations. These were brought in with the express intention of curtailing the number of territorials, and so reducing the expenditure on military defence. Chief among the provisions of the regulations is the raising of the standard of medical fit ness for territorials. Whereas in the past practically every senior cadet attaining the ago of 18 was transferred to the territorials, it is now necessary for everyone to pass a strict medical examination. The desired effect of reducing the (strength of territorial regiments has been secured. The general result is reflected in the smaller number admitted to the Auckland Regiment. The medical lest has resulted in many youths being rejected for further training after leaving the cadets. It is not necessary for these youths to undertake alternative light duties, and they are exempted from all training. The reduced size of the Ist Battalion is indicated by comparison with transfers to the reserve in 1928. These totalled 445, and postings numbered 328. Another factor in reducing expenditure is the fact that territorials in their first year do not attend! the battalion's annual camp. Whereas several years ago it was common to have over 900 in camp, the strength next February will be only about 600. All those who attended the battalion's camp at Narrow Neck this year had been in camp before. Next February, however, there will be a large number who will attend a territorial camp for the first time. Following upon the great success of this year's camp at Narrow Neck, the battalion will again spend ten days there next February. In the three previous years consolidated training was carried out at Ngaruawahia, but an effort was successfully made to enable the local battalion to encamp within its own district. It is hoped thai Aucklav.ders will thus be given an opportunity of seeing more of the actual conditions under which the battalion trains and of seeing some of the activities o 1 the battalion .in promoting physical fitness and discipline among its young trainees.