SCHOOL CADET CAMPS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 465, 25 March 1909, Page 6

SCHOOL CADET CAMPS.

ARE THEY DESIRABLE? A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION. BOARD VERSUS HEADMASTERS. At a special moeting of the Education Board last evening an endeavour was made to adjust certain grievances relating to tho cadet question. There were present: Mr. Robert Leo (chairman), and Messrs. J. G. W. Aitken, William Allan, A. H. Vile, J. Kobboll, and Captain T.' W. M'Donald. The board's, secretary (Mr. G. L. Stewart) and Mr. T. R. Fleming (senior inspector) were also in attendance. Having briefly referred to the business of tho meeting, tho chairman called upon Captain M'Donald for an oppression of opinion concerning the question.

A Motion by Captain M'Donald. Captain M'Donald said that ho would ask tho board to accept the following resolution :— "That this board express to tho Headmasters' Association ]ts intention of fostering tho cadet movement in every way possible, and that whenever tho battalion commanders wish to go into camp, and the parents do not object, it is the board's desire that the battalion commanders' wish bo acceded to." Speaking to the motion, Captain M'Donald urged that since a special meeting had been convened; they should endeavour to clinch matters once and for all. The speaker then referred to tho system of dual control, pointing out that the Minister for Education, as the supreme authority, had the right to call out tho cadets. To say that they were not going to have cadet camps was absurd. These camps had been held repeatedly and excellent reports had been received concerning the conduct and work of them. In this connection ne quoted from a letter from Major Burlinson, commanding the Third Battalion of Wellington School Cadets, to the effect that the writer's relations with the headmasters controlling the cadet companies in his battalion had been most cordial, and that in every instance their sanction, interest, and co-operation had beon obtained with regard to battalion operations and camps. The speaker then quoted at length from tho inaugural address delivered by the president-of the.New Zealand Educational Instituto at the annual conference told in Dunedin in January, in support of his contention that the teachers as a body favoured the movement. In this particular instance the cadet officers wished to go into camp, tho board desired that they should bo allowed to so, and tho Headmasters' Association had objected.. It was clear that thero was no question of forcing the camp upon tho teachers. Certain objections had been raised by the To Aro School Committee; there was nothing in their objection. To avoid friction of this nature, he would suggest that the Minister _ be asked to appoint, from among the senior teachers of the district, an officer to command the whole of their cadets, and 10 act as tho connecting link between the Board and the schools. This, ho felt sure, would smooth matters considerably. Mr. Kobbell seconded the motion, and spoke in support of battalion drill. They could not earn capitation without it. ' Another Side.to the Question. _ Mr. Aitken said that thero was another sido to the question. It was not right that they should set aside the statements c? their

Colonel William Holdon Webb, N.Z.M., Secretary and Member of the New Zealand Council of Defence, is retiring on superannuation, under the »ge limit, as announceu in yesterday's issue,' which also contained a biographical sketch of his career, and a forecast of the probable arrangements for the carrying out of bis duties.

system was voluntary—absolutely voluntary. Ho did not agree that battilion drill" was unnecessary. As for displays, well, tbey were a good thing now and then, as they showed tlio public what was being done, and stimulated feelings of patriotism and loyalty. (Hear, hear.) Regarding the motion, ho thought that it should be slightly amended. Ho had no desire to offend the headmasters, who were a fiuo body of men; yet ho wishbd the public to understand that tho cadet movement was part of their education system—a national movement. They should, however, consider tho headmasters a little.

Who Runs the Board? Captain M'Donald: That's the whole trouble. The headmasters—or certain of them—run this board. Mr. Vile: Question! Captain M'Donald: I've heard that stated, at any rate. Mr. Allan: Some people say that Captain M'Donald runs this board. Captain M'Donald: They should not say that. Mr. Leo intervened, as tho air was becoming somewhat electrical. "Lot us have no personalities," ho urged, soothingly. Mr. Fleming, asked for his opinion, said that ho had no objections, personally, to cadet camps, but did not approvo af any compulsion in the movement. Parents should bo considered, and boys under twelve should not bo allowed to go into camps. Ho suggested that the board investigate the whole question with duo deliberation. In defence of tho headmasters, Mr. Fleming thought that their attitude against displays was justified by such parades as the "ScottHarden" lecture and the "Kinematograph" incident. Mr.'.Vile said that tho whole question reduced itself to a simple issue—if camps disorganised the school work, they should not bo held; if they did not disorganise the work, then let them havo them. What was tho inspector's opinion? Mr. Fleming: If the camps were placed on a proper basis, for one week only, and temporary teachers wero supplied to carry on tho work of those teachers who.went into camp, there would be practically no disorganisation. Almost a "Fizzle-out." At this stage it was pointed out that a previous resolution of tho board had constituted tho chairman and Captain M'Donald a standing committee to deal with all cadet turn-outs, and for some minutes, a "lizzle-out" appeared to be imminent. After some fruitless discussion, Captain M'Donald electrified tho meeting by "delivering a heated speech, in which, ho accused tho headmasters of running to tho newspapers with their troubles, and ignoring the board. "They listen with their ears to tho ground," he exclaimed, "and when they hear that the public will support them, they pass resolutions and run to tho press with them." The Same, But Different. By and by, the air cleared again, and Captain M'Donald consented to amend his motion to read: .-'"That _ this board resolves that it is entirely in accord with tho public school cadets gofng into camp when the battalion commanders wish it," and tho motion, thus amended (in form, if not in spirit) was passed. With regard to,the questio nof displays, the board decided that tho standing committee should deal with that, and at a subsequent conference between tho chairman and Captain M'Donald, it was resolved that in tho statement raised by the Headmasters' Association in their ultimatum through tho press, the occasions were not toS frequent and were all suitablo occasions on which the cadets should turn out.