MILITARY PARADE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4619, 31 October 1923, Page 2

MILITARY PARADE.

INSPECTION BY COLONEL POTTER. A combined inspection parade of the No. 1 Platoon, Ist Battalion, Hauraki Regiment, and the 45th Company of Senior Cadets was held in the Drill Halt, Paeroa, last evening. The inspetcion was carried out by Colonel H. R. Potter, C.M.G., N.Z.S.C., Officer Commanding the Northern Command, accompanied by Major C. E. Andrews, QB.E., N.Z.S.C., officer commanding No. 2 group, and Major E. Edwards, commanding officer list Battalion. Hauraki Regiment. Captain E. A. Po’ritt, M.C., officer commanding “A ” Company, Hauraki Regiment, was in charge of the parade, and was assisted by Lieutenants G. N. Hart and Wi L. Lawrence, platoon commanders, and Staff Sergeant-Major Bin-by, N.Z.P.S. Colonel EL W. Porritt, who has recently been gazetted hononary colonel to the regiment, attended by invitation, as also did His Wprship the Mayor, Mr W. Marshall. On conclusion of the inspection Colonel Potter complimented all ranks oju their Soldierly bearing and steadiness. He said that it was very gratifying to see the intelligent interest taken by the la,ds in their parade. Colonel Potter stressed the point that the training was not prescribed with the idea pf instilling a spirit of militarism in their minds. It was very necessary that the rising generation should be taught the use and care of arms and also discipline. The world was really in a chaotic state at the present time, and it was impossible to foretell what the future might hold. None wished for war, with its suffering. misery, and devastation, but should such a disaster overtake the Empire again it was necessary that, there should be bodies of troops partially trained ready tp assist in the defence of the country. New Zealand, said the Colonel, was a. country well worth defending and fighting for, and the young men of to-day should be imbued with the spirit of their fathers, brothers, and in the Great War, and should feel it a privilege to have the opoprtunity of emulating the deeds and fame won by them. Continuing, Colonel Potter said that the department was endeavouring to arrange for .concentration camps for the regiments in the Northern Command, whereby it was hoped that the numbers of daylight and evening parados would be reduced, and yet at the same time discipline and efficiency could be brought to a higher standarc. * Turning to the cadets, Colonel Potter counselled them to always do their best when on parade, and to endeavour to promote the spirit of good citizenship. New Zealand, by its geographical position, offered a vulnerable position to foreign powers, and the best way to prevent an invasion of our country was to have a band of loyal citizens, skilled in the use of arms, who could be sent out to protect New Zealand. In conclusion, he said that he was very pleased with the turn-out of all ranks, and also the smart manner the various squads had carried out their drill. AT THAMES. A similar inspection parade was held at Thames on Monday evening last, when Major Edwards, Captain Porritt, M.C., and Lieutenant Lawrence attended from Paeroa.