Duntroon Cadets.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1922, Page 4

Duntroon Cadets.

VICTIMS OF ECONOMY CAMPAIGN WELLINGTON, January 4. For some time past it has been understod that further economies are to be practised by the Defence Department hut so far no official announcement has been made. Every now and then the result of the economy campaign comes under public notice, but the main items have yet to be disclosed. For instance, it is now seated that eight cadets from New Zealand, who graduated at Duntroon Military College, New South Wales, last year, have been informed b|y letlter from Defence headquarters that oommissions in the New Zealand army cannot he given them. This ainisimcement has come as an uadeabtwil surprise, after four years <tf speal&l tersming. Some hope of continuing thohr profession is contained in a statement in the letter that applications arc invited for six commissions in the British and Indian armies hut even if six of the eight are successful disappointment await at least two. Owing to the need for retrenchment the Government has found it impossible to provide positions for the Duntroon cadets.

The Defence Department is understood to be under instructions to carry out considerable economies, and this will involve a reduction in the number of officers at present employed, i Although a large number of officerfi were retrenched last year, there are yet many who will be retired in tne near future.

Incidentally the uncertainty of occupation in the forces since the war is affecting the number of candidates for Duntroon very materially. It was intended under the Kitchener scheme to send ten cadets from New Zealand to Duntroon each year, to keep up the supply of officers, hut at the present time there is only one candidate for this year.