DEFENCE FORCES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18626, 23 July 1930, Page 8

DEFENCE FORCES.

KEEPING REGIMENT ALIVE. By Telegraph—Press Association. « AUCKLAND, July 22. Twenty-five officers and over 30 n.c.o’s. of the Auckland Regiment vol{unteered, at a meeting, to keep the Regiment alive, while the Government’s defence retrenchment scheme is in force. Lieut.-Colonel Dawson, who presided, expressed regret that no proper opportunity had been given officers and men to meet in a final parade. If the officers and n.c.o’s. would keep things going for twelve months, perhaps less, there would then be leaders capable of taking over whatever form of training was instituted. Advanced training could be done in the subjects for which there was little time in the past, and there was a prospect of a I six days’ camp for a limited number. Colonel Dawson said that everything depended on the official statement in Parliament. It it was announced that the Territorials would be abolished without reserve, he was afraid any attempt to form the volunteer unit would be futile. If, on the other hand, some scheme was put forward by which the regiment could be continued. it would not lack either the old members or recruits. HAWKE’S BAY UNITS. WILL CONTINUE TRAINING. By Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER. July 22. Forty officers and N.C.O.’s of the Hastings units of the Hawke’s Bay Regiment and the Wellington-East Coast Mounted Rifles, at an enthusiastic meeting this evening, presided over by Major Manson, M.C., decided to carry on military training in spite of the suspension of the compulsory clauses of the Defence Act. The decision to carry on was voluntary, and unanimously made. The cadre created at the meeting will hold voluntary training parades, and will serve in camp with the object of keeping themselves in readiness for the # hoped-for reintroduction next June of the Territorial scheme or some modified scheme.