COMPULSORY TRAINING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3029, 3 April 1912, Page 58

COMPULSORY TRAINING.

DEFAULTERS IMPRISONED. CHRISTCHURCH, March 30. For having refused to pay fines of 4Ce and costs (10s) for their refusal to take tho oath under the Defence Act five youths named Frank Ward, Harold Hayes, Charles Wm. Vincent, Alfred Francis Scott, and Thomas Nuttall were to-day sent to prison for three weeks. REPLY TO COLONEL BELL. WELLINGTON, March 30. Colonel Robin, interviewed regarding Colonel Bell's recent remarks, said the only obligatory uniform for Territorial officers is service dress. No man is called on to attend any divine service except that of his own denomination. To attempt to set out how chaplains should conduct or act in the capacity of spiritual advisers would be impertinence on the part of the commanding officer. In the past the services of the chaplains had been much appreciated by the Volunteers, and under the bettered scheme now initiated chaplains could be safely trusted to do their duty, and help greatly in the welfare and discipline of the new force by their influence on members of their denominations. CAMP AT RANGTORA. CHRISTCHURCH, March 30. Half a battalion of th© 13th Regiment of Infantry went into camp at Rangiora to-day. The men attending have been drawn from a wide area, extending from Cheviot to Belfast and Kaiapoi, and out to Springfield. Major A. E. Loach is the officer in charge. CAMP AT GREYMOUTH. (Fbom Onn Own ConHKRpovDEMT.) GREYMOUTH. March 31. Yesterday some 500 Territorials went into camp for eight days on the Greymouth Racecourse, the forces being under the command of Colonel Richardson. It is understood that the State collieries contingent failed to obey the summons to attend, and that something more will be heard of the matter. In the meantime the Socialists will hold a demonstration against the system at Runanga to-night.