LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 47, 1 April 1914, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Ttt. EASTEE holidays. To the Editor of THE STJN. Sir,—l see that in Dunedin the whole trade is closing from April 9 till-'April > 14 for the Easter holidays. Don't yitfi' think it would' be a good idea if the trade in Christchurch were to ; do. the. same? It seems a pity to break, holidays by coming back on Saturday, for were we closed it would give our hands a chance of going into the country, and the rest would do ■ more good than the extra imaginary business., In any case, there will be very little done on the Saturday, and, although business must be done, if we were closed they would come on' some other day. So I consider it would be a good idea if the whole trade closed on that day. Hoping Christchurch will follow Dunedin's example,—-l am, etc., EMPLOYER,

SATURDAY AFTERNOON PARADES To the Editoi: of THE SUN. VSir,—l have been informed by several members of the Christchurch senior cadets that they now are compelled to parade on Saturday afternoons,, as well as one night during the week. I am not an anti-militarist —military training is, I think, exceeding good iii . many ways—but the compulsory system can be carried too far. Lads who absolutely loved their drill are being made to detest it, just tlirdugh having to give up their Saturday half-holiday for, drill. Is it a fair thing to take, a lad's half-holiday—his only half day—away from hint in this way?v It. is certainly killing his dove for • the I don't blame any boy for not wanting to give "up his football for drill —and w"hy* should he give'it up? A lad who funks his drill on weekdays—in the evening, that is—is a cad, nothing more or less. And the same thing applies to the officers who compel him to drill on his only half-holiday. Boys don't mind a Saturday parade now and then. But they do, I know, object to drilling Saturday after Saturday for months at the time. I sincerely lidpe thqse lads will be released from • Saturday parades soon.—l am, etc., . AN OFFICER. [Each - cadet is obliged to, put in '64 hours' training in the year,,and of?this, time 36 hours is used up in twelve halfday parades of three hours each. These need not necessarily be held ori & Saturday, but that is the day usually fixed, for, the reason that the boys are in school all through the week. It is thought better that a boy should miss cricket than school work, arid the' Department adopts something the same attitude as James I. of Scotland when he an embargo on golf and bowls for the reason that these games wertf seriously affecting the archery of the Scottish levies. After, the, . visit, of General vHamilton, daylight parades will not Jbe so numerous, however. Again itris held that the officers are hardly cadsj'.' jfor, the > season ujbhat they carry out. the letter of ; » the t Defence Act' in training boys to defend their country. Night drills are all very well, but there, are many; branches of the training which require, the light of day and areas bigger than the drill hall.]