TRAINING OF CADETS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 891, 10 August 1910, Page 7

TRAINING OF CADETS.

NO DRILL IN BRITAIN. THE BOGEY OF MILITARYISM. COMPARISON WITH NEW ZEALAND. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Kec. August 9, 9.20 p.m.) London, August '9. Tho Wai , Office, in a memorandum to tho Territorial Associations on the subject of the training of cadets, approves of gymnastics, Swedish drill, and swimming as suitable exercises for producing physical fitness and mental resourcefulness. . The authorities state that they purposely refrain from suggesting set forms of drill, military exercises, and rifle practice.

Tho "Morning Post" says the memorandum will cause deep disappointment to those who regard the cadet movement as tho foundation of national defence. .It compares the Australian and New Zealand cadet systems 'with the War Office's policy of discouragement. This, tho paper says, is duo to a fear of tho bogey of militarism.' The Labour men in Australia and Now Zealand, and Canada, it is pointed out, vio with the Conservatives in enforcing the lesson of services to the State.

Iα a memorandum issued in May. last the War Office said:—"The business of forming mid administering the Veteran Reserve and Cadet units will devolve ■wholly on county associations. Local military authorities will hove no direct responsibility for the organisation, administration, .or training of these"forces. It will be made clear, however, to General Officers Commanding-in-Chiof that the Army Council wish them to consider favourably any request put forward by associations for assistance in connection with the Veteran Reserve or recognised Cadet units, provided such assistance does not cause a' oharge to military funds. . . . County associations are at liberty to frame their own- rules both for the Veteran Reserve and for the Cadet units in their own. counties.

"Cadet units that have been officially reoognised by their country associations will be inspected once a year under arrangements made by tho General Officer Coinmamling-in-Chief. No. standard of efficiency is laid down, the main purpose of • the inspection being to ensuro that the conditions laid down by the. Army Council are fulfilled, and that a spirit of loyalty, orderliness, discipline, and smartness is inculcated in the unit."