THE CADET SCHEME.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12568, 4 March 1919, Page 6

THE CADET SCHEME.

THE NEW SYLLABUS, INTERVIEW WITH COLONEL SUSEMAN. A Star ”■ reporter had a chat this morning with Colonel Sloemnn regarding tho scheme for the training of Cadets, tho now syllabus in counectiou with which will bo introduced in the course of a few weeks. In preparing ibis scheme, he said, he had gained the opinions of over one hundred and fifty senior staff and regimental officers throughout tho Dominion, lu tho course of his inspection he had travelled 40,000 miles in New Zealand and had met every senior cadet and territorial officer. ‘‘ Consequently,” said Colonel Sleeman. “ I am familiar with the difficulties and handicaps which cadet training has met-with. In many country districts everyone would not find it possible to work under tlie now syllabus. It is obvious the difficulties of attending parades are so great in regard to country cadet units that no system of training by means of lialfday and evening parados can bo satisfactory for those units. Some other solution will,require to lie found. The training of city cadets by the new syllabus, however, offers cadet units in town arena every opportunity of gainmg efficiency, both individually and collectively. It was found by tho experience gained in the Expeditionary Force camps that many recruits wore rejected for scrvico at tho front for disabilities of a remedial nature. Consequently, the new syllabus aims at producing a vigorous, nientnlly alert and morally sound citizen—lads who will be imbued with healthy ideals of citizenship, and who will realise their responsibilities to their country. The cadets will be shown that ( tmo manliness does not consist of using had or evil language or m copying the faults of weaker men. Ihe training will tend to make every individual become nhysicallv strong and athletic and to follow in tho footsteps of successful and patriotic men. The cadet- will bo regarded as one who, durtho most susceptible nml ini prossionable ages of youth, is being trained to think .along the lines of true citizenship. This naturallv implies that his thoughts will be directed to rannv Hungs, and the duty ho owes to his country m the event of its bciim attacked." That was the ohjeet of the train in" sciiome. rontmued Colonel Sleenmq and whether it was to bo attained depended almost entirely upon the interest shown by the parents, employers citizens and the quality of the" instruction given. Without these essential aids no system of training could lie produced of. any grout value. During the training the cadets would everv six months ho examined by medical officers in regard to eyesight, range of vision, teeth, and by other tests.“ The physical training > would include games of n most' refreshing, invigorating" and instructional quality, arranged by Captain A, W. Brocks, M.C., who has had considerable experience in this class of work. Tho musketry portion of tho syllabus had been compiled by Major H allingford, M.0., who had won worldwide musketry fame. Colonel Sloeman pointed out that the Defence Department can only demand that the cadet shall attend thirtyfour parades in a year, each of an hour and a half’s duration. It’ was hoped, though, that the new physical training to he instituted would prove so interesting and stimulating that tho cadets would ho encouraged to attend voluntary parades in addition. The results obtained among the cadets undergoing physical braining at Tronthqm camp since the armistice had been extraordinary. They had arrived at Trentham knowing absolutely nothing of physical training, hut after less than a fortnight's course of physical iustrucj ion had left keen and alert, and showing hv every outward and inward sign that they had benefited enormeirdr hr the instruction given. The employers of many of these lads had stated, that on their return to their work after the training they had shown themselves smarter and quicker in every way.