MILITARY TRAINING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7870, 4 August 1911, Page 1

MILITARY TRAINING

EFFECT ON SPORT ATHLETIC BODIES VIEW MATTER SERIOUSLY. SPECIAL TO THE “T131E8." AUCKLAND, August 3. . A. phaso of the military training scheme which is causing some comment Is that'the day set apart for compulsory training parades is to be the weekly half-holiday. This will prevent young men taking part for half the Saturdays 1 of the year in the sport with which they are identified, and will, it is held, tend to detrimentally affect the success of summer pastimes—cricket, tennis, and rowing in particular. Many of the clubs depend upon accessions of membership to help along the different movements, and upon all the leisure time of the members to maintain interest, secure efficiency, and eventually establish success; but with the deprivation of a portion of the halfholidays for athletic development, ami military service substituted, it is. held 1 that damaging results to sports move--1 meats will inevitably accrue. ? it io hot expected taux football and 5 winter sports mil Oe unccLed to tile ! same extent, because the amnoriues iegaid the uncertain weather of winter months as aitogcuaer unsuitable for out- * uoor work. ' A Territorial officer, who is also a l keen enthusiast of Kugby loot ball, mdij cattd, in the course of a cnat on the . subject, that the football and hockey authorities need have no cause to -anticipate anything moie man an unappreco.abio interference with the game* even if 1 there was any interference at all. lie pointed out tiiat, while certain training was it could be so arrangcu by the officers commanding units that the required* parades and encampments could be put in without encroaching on the time and attention usually devoted to football. Dor instance, he showed how the parades could bo held on the holidays of which- little public notice was taken, or could be arranged between the football and cricket seasons quite conveniently. It was even ‘ suggested delicately -that week-ends, including < the Sunday, could bo devoted to military obligations. In his opinion the young fellow who was an enthusiast in any particular game could, with the co-opera-tion that would bo given by officers, get through with his military duties without affecting his sport- As a matter of fact, the officer mentioned that most of the Territorial officers were entirely in sympathy with sport, and amateur I football in particular, and they would 1 use their efforts to encourage' rather I than to impede the game. The viewpoint of cricketers was voiced by a prominent official, who anticipated very serious interference .with the game, especially as military service would be 1 confined largely to the summer months, and because cricket required so much attention in the matter of practice. There would, he .believed, be a big outcry from cricketers, and unless the interests of the game were protected compulsory training would lie responsible for the downfall ot the sport. Tennis and rowing enthusiasts fegard the' military movement in somewhat the same light, and are; apprehensive as to the effect that will follow, on membership of the clubs. The military authorities recognise that the obligatory training will seriously inconvenience sports clubs and athletics generally, and with the object of avoiding unnecessary clashing of interest, a circular letter is being sent to the numerous clubs giving prominence to the dates tLxed for parades three months ahead. By doing that it is considered sports clubs will be able to satisfactorily arrange gatherings without clashing with parados.