MILITARY CAMPS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1923, Page 1

MILITARY CAMPS.

AGAIN TO BE OBLIGATORY.

[j)Y TKLKGIUPU —run PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Oct. I.

As a matter of post-war economy, the vote to the Defence Department was reduced very considerably after the close of hostilities, and the military authorities arc obliged to abandon mu- of their most' effective means of military training, the holding of compulsory annual concentration camps. During the past 12 months, the department has been able to i)< H voluntary camp::, sufficicid money bring provided for rations. Ibo e.unp was purely optional, the alternative being a course of drills and day par-

Under the General Headquarters Regulations, which will be published ill a few days, the compulsory vamp train iiijj is to ho re*instituted. The cost, is Lo he home out of certain funds, which if has been found possible to utilise. The obligatory training is to he carried out by the Territorials during the year 1923-2-1. It is to he as follows: i|) | Six cousceutive whole-day parades (formerly optional).

(2) Six half-day parades ' instead of 12 as nl present).

(3) Twelve drills (instead of 20 as ai present]. (4) A prescribed course of musketry, which will he carried out during the half-day parades referred to above, unless special permission to the contrary is given hy the ().('. commanding. Whole-day parades will be carried out bv the unit as. a whole. The question of the cost of concentrating the unit for this training is to be specially taken into consideration hy the 0.0. commanding, and where the training allotted to any unit is insufficient t« cover tin' cost of concentration, squadruns or companies will he allowed io carry out their training locally. The periods of consecutive training are to he arranged as best to suit local conditions. CADETS'.

Obligatory training fur cadets will he as follows :

(I Thirty drills of one and n-lmlf hours’ duration.

(2) Six half-day parades. (3) A prescribed course of musketry, which is to ho carried out during (1) and 1 2) in country districts whore the isolation of the drill centre prevents the regular attendance of a permanent instructor. The above training will he consolidated into six consecutive wholeday parades whore required. Free transport, ration, and camp equipment will he provided for trainees while carrying out consolidated training, but trainees will not receive pay, as under the pre-war camp training system.