TWO MILITARY CAMPS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14510, 13 November 1909, Page 4

TWO MILITARY CAMPS.

COMPULSORY TRAINING

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER

Per Press Association

CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 12

The Prltae Minister, discussing the question of compulsory military training, said two training camps should be established within a reasonable distance from the trunk systems of railway in both islands. They required at least 12,000 acres for each camp (15(M) acres would be better). The whole of the necessary equipment would .be permanently established at both centres and the instructional staff would be resident at the camp to enable work that was regarded as so essential in I the matter of training to be readily available for those taking part. The general arrangements would be such that the men could be in attendance at suitable timea throughout the year, so aa to receive the undeniable benefits referred to. Wtfh large areas of land, every branch of military training could be carried out, and the areas must be sufficiently Urge to provide for artillery work, and to ensure the training generally was carried out m a practical way. Instead of having the irregular and uncertain system of what were known as "Easter canape, ' there., would be a recognised and definite system of progressive military work. The camps required to be in central positions in both islands, so that instead of men being carried long distances in one direction they would impinge upon a given centre from the extreme ends of each island, thus evading the present unsatisfactory system of long distance travelling. As soon as legislation was outlined by Parliament, the requisite land would be set aside in both islands for the camps. On the score of economy the buildings required should be of a permanent nature, which would in the king run effect a considerable saving.