THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10764, 12 May 1911, Page 1

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

COMPULSORY TRAINING AND BUSINESS. (Press' Correspondent.) ...... Wellington, May 11. Generally speaking, employers, recognising that compulsory military training is desirable, and,'in fact, a necessity, 'seem inclined to do all in their power to meet the defence authorities, and the defence authorities in their turn wii.i do all in I heir power to\niinimise - the inconvenience to employers caused by their men having to attend drills, etc. The Post has interviewed the heads of some of the drapery firms.

Mr William Allan, of the firm of Veiteh anil Allan, suggested, Wednesday as the most suitable day for drills. He added: " The employers as a rule recognise that the military authorities must be assisted in this matter. Compulsory military training is now the law, and we must obey it, and try to work in with the scheme as well as we win." Mr C'orrigun, the manager of the D.f.C., which does a very large business here, gave it as his opinion that the operations of the Defence Act would in no way affect his company's business. "In the past," he added, "members of volunteer companies employed by my company have always been allowed leave for attendance at manoeuvres and reviews. . In the future leave will still be obtainable by our men, but for probably a larger number of them than hitherto. 1 think it will be so arranged b-- the defence authorities that considerable numbers of men employed by anyone firm will not be attached- to the

same unit, nor therefore away from busbies.-. at the same time at camps or drill®, hut that they will attend on various days. As a business man and a territorial officer myself i. do not think anything will be done in this mat--ter in the future by the defence authorities which will be antagonistic la. my company's business or other businesses." A somewhat narrower view was taken bv Mr Tnnipsett, manager of To Aro* House. "The miestion has occurred to my mind," said Mr Tompsr-tt, "as to whether we shall allow holiday leave and leave for the attendance at drills and at camps in addition. Our juniors have a week's holiday, and our seniors a for{night's holiday every year, but if they have to devote their time to military exercises that necessitates their absence during business hours, ! doubt if they will be granted f ; - io off for that 'itnd their holidays as well. I feel certain. however, tb- l the authorities will do all iliey possibly can to arrange matters so that there will be very little or no interference with the business arrangements of the large drapery houses. Personally. I believe that the military training will make men more fit physically, and the discipline make them belter qualified from a business point | of view, but there is always a ' but.' No man should sacrifice his business ambitions for his military ideals." |