SPORTS AND COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11629, 10 May 1912, Page 6

SPORTS AND COMPULSORY TRAINING.

. (Per. Press Association.) . Wellington,"- May 9. Representatives of the Rugby Union, the Football Association, and the Hockey Association waited on General Godley to-day in reference to the number of daylight parades called for this month in particular. Parades are also called for Ist and 3rd Julie at Newtown Park. General Godley said that there was no other suitable location. The deputation accepted the explanation with grea-c objection. With reference to the parades called for this month, the General "explained that these were rendered necessary owing to the fact that uniforms had no': come to hand earlier, also because a certain number of parades had to be held before the end of the volunteer, year. It was very unlikely that similar circumstances would arise again. The deputation made it clear that the men were not opposed to military training ; on the contrary, they supported the scheme and recognised that defence had to come first and all, forms of sport second. Members expressed the opinion, however, that it would be a very good thing if the Terntori.il system and the various forms of sport could be run hand in hand. They suggested that it might be possible to give uotice of daylight parades to the sports bodies some time before the date fixed, and that as many daylight parades as possible be held in the dead season. General Godley said that in future all daylight parades would probably be notified a considerable time ahead, but he pointed out that the basic system of the Territorial scheme was continuity, hi training.