DAYLIGHT PARADES ABANDONED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2303, 16 July 1921, Page 3

DAYLIGHT PARADES ABANDONED.

At last meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce, a resolution was carried requesting the Defence authorities to substitute evening territorial parades for afternoon parades, as the latter caused loss and inconvenience to employers whose employees were compelled to attend parades during business hours.

Sergt.-Major Peare conferred with the President- of the local Chamber of Commerce on Thursday evening, and the Chambers’ objection- were discussed. The Defence Officer stated that the authorities did not wish to inflicf any hardship upon employers, or interfere with industries. The trouble experienced was in hiring a suitable ball for parades. In larger towns the Defence authorities had their drill liulL, and this facilitated evening parades, lie stated that provided suitable lighting was provided in the Town Hall supper-room, this building would meet the requirements. He had made satisfactory arrangements in this connection, and henceforward fortnightly daylight parades would he abandoned, and evening parades substituted. The Sergt.-Major went on to state that these parades would be educational and interesting to territorials, and would include lectures on technical matters. He said the territorials were now merged into i he 2nd Battalion of the Wellington Regiment, of whose traditions, in the late war, they should endeavour to maintain. In conclusion, tho Sergt.-Major said lie would be pleased to attend a meeting of the Chamber and explain fully the course of training set out, and the educational advantages afforded to young men under the system. Ha appreciated the Chamber’s interest in the matter of military training, and could assure employers of labour that nothing would be done to unduly interfere with the carrying on of industries.

\Vc may mention that Sergt.Major Peare is well qualified to undertake the work of instruction, and although a comparatively young man, saw a good deal of active service.