CADET PARADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23082, 6 July 1938, Page 16

CADET PARADE

THREE BOYS COLLAPSE authorities criticised SUPPORT FROM SCHOOLS LOST [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] CIIIUSTCIiUKCH. Tuesday "The defence authorities have lost the support of secondary schools, mic the principal of th<: Christchureh liieal College, Dr. D. E Hansen, duri,,<r a discussion bv the board or trovernors of occurrences at Hagley I'ark during the King's Birthday celebrations, when school cadets collapsed in the ranks because of the effects of tlu; intense cold. "It was scandalous that our boys should have been treated the way they were," declared Mr. T. Nuttall. ' Jhe boys were gathered together for parade an hour before the big function was to begin. The weather was bitterly cold, but those military men did not show any consideration for the well-being of our lads. They could have given them a double round the park or some other exercises to keep them warm. "Our boys." lie added, "should not be allowed to take part in any future ceremonies of a military nature unless wo receive a guarantee that their health is to be safeguarded." Dr. Hansen said the technical college had the largest number of secondary school boys on parade, but fortunately only three of them collapsed. He did not know why they were not affected to the same degree as the others. "The parade was unduly protracted, and it did not encourage us to support such ceremonies in future," he added.

COMMENT UNWARRANTED INSTRUCTIONS TO UNITS MILITARY OFFICIAL'S REPLY . [by TEJiKGItAPIl —OWN CORRKSPONDENT] CHRISTCHTJRCH. Tuesday "I feel that these criticisms are unfair and unwarranted," states a passage in a letter sent by Colonel P. H. Hell, Officer Commanding the Southern Military District, to the board of governors of the Christchurch Technical College, in reply to criticism of the military authorities, reported to have been made by Mr. T. Nuttall, at the board meeting. Colonel Bell's letter is as follows: — "My attention has been directed to newspaper reports of a meeting of your board of governors, a member of which alleged callousness on the part of "these military men' for the health and comiort of the school cadets. By 'these military men' I assume is meant the district headquarters staff. "As the health, comfort and convenience of the men are regarded as of prime importance in arranging any military function. 1 feel that these criticisms are unfair and unwarranted and made without knowledge of the following facts: — "(a) The parade was called for 10.30 a.m., and units were instructed to be formed up to 10.20 a.m.—or only 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the ceremony. What'happened prior to 10.20 a.m. was entirely at the discretion of tho school authorities and the territorial units. There was certainly no necessity for any unit to bo paraded an hour before 10.30 a.m.— much less to be kepi, standing in the cold for that period, and I doubt if this happened in any one case. "(b) As far as the Technical College cadets were concerned—to mention only the unit which directly concerns your board of governors—the parade was an entirely voluntary one, and only those who offered to attend were included. "Altogether, I feel that the whole matter has been treated in a manner calculated to discredit the established cadet system.