DEFENCE MATTERS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13413, 10 May 1912, Page 6

DEFENCE MATTERS.

DAYLIGHT PARADES,

[United Pkehs Association.]

Wellington, May 9. Representatives of th-. Rugby Union Football Association waited on General Godley to-day in reference- to. tho number of daylight parades called for this month and in particular parades called for tho l&t arid 3rd Juno, at Newtown Park. General Godley said that there was no other suitable location. The deputation accepted the explanation. In reference to the parados called for this month, the General said that these wore rendered necessary owing to the fact that the uniforms had not come to hand earlier and also because a certain number of parades had to be held before the end of the volunteer year. It was not very likely that similar circumstances would arise again. The deputation made it clear that the men wore not; opposed to military training. On the contrary, they supported the scheme, and recognised that deixmce had to come first, and all forms of _sport second. They expressed the opinion, however/ that it wou'd be a very good thing if tlie Territorial system and various forms of sport could be. run hand m hand. They .suggested that it might be possible to give notice of daylight parades to sports bodies some time beforedates were fixed, and .that as many daylight: parades as possible be hold in the dead .season.

General Godley said that in future all daylight parades would probably bo notified a considerable time ahead : but he pointed put that the bas:c system of the* Territorial schemo was continuity of training.