DEFENCE AND SPORT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1436, 10 May 1912, Page 6

DEFENCE AND SPORT.

DEPUTATION TO COMMANDANT, DAYLIGHT PARADES IX "DEAD" SEASON. The clashing of military training with football games has caused sports budies iu Wellington some uneasiness, and yesterday a depiil.itiau, consisting of: Messrs. W. Perry (Wellington Rugby Vnion), H. M'Keowii t'Wollington Football Association), and (.'. N. Cathie (Wellington Hoekev Association) waited upon General Godley io di»ciiss with him the possibility of making .■inaugement.-, which would allow of both drill and sports going on satisfactorilv. Mr. W. Perry spoke on behall of the deputation. The first, matter mentioned was the holding of parades at Newtown Park on .lime 1 and !l". Mr. Perry pointed out that the deputation did not take exception to the holding of the parades on then' day-, but thev were afraid that they would damage'the turf in the park (o such an extent that it would be live or six weeks before it would be lit for football again. The General explained that General linden-Powell was coming to New Zealand, ami if was the desire of the Government that he, should", if possible, seo all the boys in New Zealand on parade while be was here. He had selected Newtown Parle as the site for the parade, because he considered it was the only ground close to WelliiiElon where such a parade could be held. He added that: no horses or guns would be out for the parade. Mr. Perry then discussed (lie general question of davlight parades affecting winter sports. He said members of the bodies represented in tlie deputation were not in opposition to the defence scheme. On the contrary, they were strongly iit favour of the Territorial system; lie. lor his part, thought it was the hot thing the Government had ever done. If tl'i 'J'eiTilorial svsteni clashed with football, the Territorial svstem must come first, and football afterwards, but it would be better if things could be arranged so that, militarv training and sport could exist together. He suggested that some notice should be given of daylight parades. Thev had all been surprised to hear that four daylight parades hud been called for the month of May. General Godlev said tlio reason for this was that the uniforms and equipment for a great many of the Territorials did not arrive until lately, and it was necessary to hold these parades in May, because' May 31 was the end of the military vear. However, this would not happen in future. The dates of daylight parades would be fixed weil ahead, and ample notice would be given of them. Mr. Perry made the further suggestion that as maiiy daylight parades ns possible should be held in the "dead" season, i.e., in the last half of September and the first half of October, and the last half of March and tlie first half of April—in the intervals between football and.cricket, and between cricket and football. Iu ropiv to this, the General said that one essential iu military training was that it should be continuous—that parades should be equally spread over the year. He asked Lieut-Colonel 0. F. C. Campbell, who was present during the interview, for a suggestion as to what might be done. Colonel Campbell said ho was in sym- : pnthy with' football and sport of all kinds. He thought the suggestion that, the bulk of the parades.be;held in the "dead" season was a good one,' and ho did not sen any' reason' why it 'should not be carried out. . ■-......: . ... •The members of the deputation were delighted, with the courteous'reception given • therii by General' Godley,'and they came away well satisfied; ■• with' the promises ! given them.