MILITARY TRAINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20623, 23 July 1930, Page 14

MILITARY TRAINING.

HARBOUR BOARD DISCUSSION VIEWS ON QUESTION SOUGHT. A _ letter from the Past and Present Territorials' Association asking for an expression of opinion on compulsory military training was received at a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board vestcrday. Ihe letter stated that the association was composed of men between the ages of 18 and 45. but members of the permanent military staff were ineligible for membership. Compulsory military training was necessary for the purpose of teaching young men discipline and esprit de corps. ■lhe letter further stated that the association was a sincere supporter of the League of Nations and desired international disarmament, but only if all nations agreed. The chairman, Mr. M. H. Vvynvard, moved that the board should express an opinion in favour of compulsory military training. Several speakers thought that the matter was outside the board's province. lhe chairman said that as it .was a national question the board should voice its views. Air. T. Blood worth moved an amendment, winch was carried, that the matter should be deferred until the next meeting.

ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS

THE THIRD FIELD BATTERY. A decision to continue as volunteers in spite 01 the suspension**)! compulsorv military training was made by about bO trainees and all the officers of the 3i'd Field Battery, New Zealand Artillery, last evening. Ihe Government's decision was outlined ln r Major W. F StilweJl, M.C., officer commanding the Ist Field Brigade, N.Z.A.. and Captain H. 11. Osniers, M.M., of the 3rd Field Battery. ( apiain Osniers said he could give no definite information as to what training would be carried out, but he considered that in the case of a voluntary system being introduced there would he tha nucleus of an efficient volunteer force. H" said tho meeting would probably have been larger if more notice had ! ecu given, as he had received apologies from several absentees. He had also received applicacalions from members of oilier units to join the 3rd Field Hat I cry as volunteers.

VOLUNTEER SCHEME ADOPTED.

TERRITORIALS AT HASTINGS

[r.v 'n;n:Gß\rii.—i'ULss association.] N.YriKi;, Tuesday. Forty olli' ers and non-commissioned oflicers of the Hastings units of tha Jlawkc's Rav Regiment and WellingtonEast Coast Mounted Rifles met and do* cided to cans' on military training in spite of the suspensinn «.f the coir.nulsoi.v clauses of the 1 V:\nee Act. Hie decision to carry on v.a« v> luntary and unanimously made. _ l'ho cadre created at the meeting wiij hold voluntary training parades and will serve in camp, witb the object of keeping lha rnembvis :»«•--=• tor :l hopedfor rein trod uclion of the territorial schern® or soir.o modified scheme.