MILITARY TRAINING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8810, 13 August 1914, Page 7

MILITARY TRAINING

MODIFICATION OF THE SYSTEM. A special district order issued by the O.C. Wellington military district announces that in accordance with the recommendations of tho InspectorGeneral of Oversea Forces, certain modifications will take place in the system of training and administration. The recommendations in the InspectorGeneral’s' report will, so far as training is,concerned, bo modified to a certain extent for this year.The concentrated training (exclusive of the annual camp) recommended Ifl’’ the Inspector-General is eight days in camp (includes days of arrival and departure) which is to consist of company and, squadron training and _ the annual musketry course. This is to be voluntary for this year, but is to bo encouraged in country districts and put into force wherever it can bo locally arranged. Forage, rations, and cost of transport to and frOm concentrations will bo provided by the department. This concentrated training and the annual course of musketry comprises the whole liability for , setvice for the year, except the annual camp. It is not necessary that a whole squadron or a whole company should elect to perform the concentrated training in an eight day camp. Cases may occur where the greater part ot a squadron or company is concentrated in or near a town and can carry out the home training in flic ordinary way, hut have a. troop or platoon scattered in small drill centres. Provided that particular troop or platoon can come into camp as ; a unit, there is no objection to them doing their training in a concentrated form, provided the O.C. unit is satisfied that the instruction in camp will warrant the expenditure incurred. Where possible, however, it is obviously desirable to get tho whole company or squadron to do the concentrated training. . The musketry course for territorials should he completed by the end of February, 1915, and for tho remainder of tho forces as early as possible. Advantage should be taken of the squadron and company concentration camps to do this. It, therefore, follows, that tho voluntary concentration camps should be held within close proximity to a rifle range (where possible). No musketry of any description is to be carried out dining the annual statutory camp. It should all be completed before the troops go to such camps. ' , Where it is particularly suitable, desirable, and universally demanded, cadet concentrations for country districts will be considered by headquarters. • The written consent of all parents (or guardians) must be obtained in each case.

Failing voluntary concentrations for senior cadets in country districts, the General Officer Commanding wishes the conversion of drills by senior cadets into whole-day parades to ho encouraged as much a» possible. Four cadet drills of one hour and a-half can be converted into one wholo-day parade, and by this means the minimum amount of inconvenience will be caused to employers in country districts, and, especially, to tho farming community. In localities where it can he "arranged, the training of tho general training section should be carried out at a concentration camp, which must bo voluntary. The prescribed number of drills (eighteen) and tho courso ( of musketry should be combined and carried out consecutively in these concentration camps, which would, as a rule, cover four days. nations and transport will be allowed, but no pay or allowances will be given. Before such Voluntary, concentrations of tho general training section can take place, sanction must be obtained from headquarters. '