IERRITORIAL CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2999, 9 February 1917, Page 6

IERRITORIAL CAMPS

NOT TO BE ABANDONED

STATEMENT BY HON. J. ALLEN

The following statement has been issued by the Minister of Defenco (the lion. 3ames Allen) for the information of those concerned regarding the holding of this year's Territorial camps:— During the war it is most essential that all lads of 18 and 19 years of age should receive military training in order that upon attaining the balloting age of 20 they may proceed to the Expeditionary Force camps with a sufficient knowledge of discipline and military training to enable them to benefit to tlie highest degree by the training given there. _ ■ It is only fair to those liable for service at the- front that they should receive the maximum amount of training that can bo given them. With this I feel sure you will agree. Were we" to abandon the Territorial Force camps it would mean that many thousands of men would fail to receive the benefit of this training who will subsequently proceed to the front. In England, for example, -where the shortage of labour is out of all proportion ! to that in the -Dominion, the whole of the Territorial Force has been mobilised from the commencement of hostilities, and lads from 18 upwards are now permanently employed on military duty. In the Dominion the Defence Department has given the employers the benefit of the services of the entire Territorial Force throughout the war with the exception of one weelc- for the annual training—half the time considered essential for training in peace time. To forfeit this extremely .limited period would mean a very considerable loss of efficiency, in addition to other disadvantages which will be obvious to all who have the interest of the Do-

minion at heart. . In order to prevent undue hardship, however, tlie most, specific and caretnl instructions have been issued to all local authorities concerned. 11ns mi ensure that all care is taken when callin" up e.mcioj'ces of a firm for their annual training to prevent too great a. proportion being absent at the one time. To do this arrangements have been made in order to allow employees to perform their training.with units other their own. Tins system will give all an . opportune to select dates for attending camp, which will place the minimum strain upon the employer, the camps being spread over a period of four months, from February to the end of • In cases wliere undue hardship must result, especially where essential industries are concerned, exemption trom camps should be applied for, and where considered necessary,, will be granted. Applications for such exemptions must bo made not less v-han fourteen days prior to the holding of such annual camps, and should be submitted to District Commander concerned. _ Employers. will realise that this privilege should only be applied for in most urgent cases. , It must be seriously impressed upon all that during the present time ot service strain, tlicDcfepce Department would not attempt to continue to hold the annual camps were it considered advisable or possible to cancel- this training without harmful result. Military considerations must, however, at such a time outweigh all others. It is considered essential to- the continued success of the Now Zealand Forces that the Territorial training should continue without interruption. All through the Empire the first reouircmont to-dav is a systematised and thoroughly military instruction for all those eligible, or who will be eligible, for service with the Expeditionary Forces. Continued self-sacrifice and- endeavour must be expected from all in the Dominion, and the employers of labour can, and I feel sure will, do all in their power to assist in Tcgard to the attendances of their employees at the annual camps. Employers of labour can rest assured that every endeavour will be made to assist them in those extreme cases where exemption is considered necessary. Direct application to.. Colonels Patterson. Auckland; J. Hume. Palmerston North: R. A. Chaffey, Christchurch ;. and Nichols, Dunedin, for the respective districts of Auckland, Wellington. Canterbury, and Otago, will meet with speedy and direct attention. TJnder these circumstances I bring these points to your notice, and rest assured that you will make every endeavour to help the Department to this end.