MILITARY TRAINING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18295, 12 July 1921, Page 2

MILITARY TRAINING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Probably you arc aware that the ago limit for military training is being reduced from 25. 1 have not noticed anything to that effect published in your paper, but have seen only the department’s proposals. Whether or not the reduction is now in force, I am not sure. About six or seven young men to my own personal knowledge, some younger than, and some about, my own ago have received notice of their transfer to the reserve. I am now in my tenth year of training, and have been “ordered'’ to continue, with the usual Government threat of a penalty. On making inquiries at Kensington as to the projier age limit, 1 am unable to get a definite answer. I would be pleased if you would be good enough to find out the age for mo. Do you think it fair treatment, if the age limit is 22, that men who are not yet 21, or have just, turned 21, should be posted to the reserve wiien others who are from five to seven months older are still ordered to parade? If the ago limit is 21, wh.y have I still to parade? I have every year boon classed efficient in my drill,—at least I have not been notified otherwise. At present, there is grave dissatisfaction amongst those who are older than some of the men posted to the reserve. It would be interesting to know just how the military authorities work the postings or transfers lo the reserve. Just at a glance, there is some very unintelligible work. What is sauce for the goose should be sauce for lire gander.—l am, etc., Just. [Owing to the reorganisation of the Defence forces, the number of units baa been reduced, and in the case of infantry the intention is to form a complete division of 12 battalions, each battalion numbering 1000 men. The limit of the age for compulsory training remains at 25 years, but ua strength of a battalions is restricted to 1000, r>ml where units number 1200 to 1300, as they do in some cases, it is - necessary to bring the number down to 1000. Ini3 is supposed to bo done by transferring the oldest and most efficient men lo the reserve list.-Ed. O.D.T.]