TEACHERS & DEFENCE ACT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1726, 17 April 1913, Page 4

TEACHERS & DEFENCE ACT.

MUST THEY ATTEND CAMPS? (Br Tekeraph—Press Association.! Auckland, April 10. A number of requests for leave of absence wero granted by tho Education Board to-day in connection with the Cambridge infantry camp. Referring to the matter, tlio chairman (Mr. G. W. Giliand) said that lie thought that it was time that some change was. made in tho Defence Act,.by which nmlo teachers who were' interesting themselves in military training could bo exempt from camp. Tho position was that tlic-re were a large number of officers of 'tho now-extinct junior cadets who wero continuing their military work, but the Act said that they must not wear tho King's uniform until tliey had served a period in camp. This was neither fair to the teachers themselves nor to-the board which had tho greatest difficulty in tilling absentees' places. Mr. M'Kenzio said that he saw 110 reason why those young men who had dono such good service with junior school cadets formerly should liavo their work disparaged. A member: Tliey had.no right to abolish school cadets. It was finally decided that a letter be sent to tho Defence 'Minister pointing out tho views of tho board on the matter and its difficulties in filling the places of absent officers.