DRILL IN SCHOOLS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8340, 29 January 1913, Page 10

DRILL IN SCHOOLS

THE MILITARY ASPECT. OLD CONDITIONS ABOLISHED. The Education Department has issued a circular memorandum to Hducavion Boards throughout the Dominion reminding them that in view of the provisions of the Defence Amendment Act, 1912, and the Education Amendment Act, 1912, the arrangements hitherto in force with respect to military drill in public schools must be regarded as having terminated on December 31st last. Under section 5 of the Education Amendment Act. arrangements (in • accordance with regulations to be issued in due course) may be made for military drill in public schools where there are approved instructors. For the present a public school, in connection with which there is a fully-equipped company or detachment in charge of someone holding under the regulations in force last year an appointment os an oihcer of junior cadets, may be regarded as a school in which military drill may be given to boys between the ages of twelve and fourteen years. Section 6 further provides that military drill so given shall be subject to inspection at such convenient times as may be arranged with the Education Board by an officer appointed by the Commandant. It is understood that the Defence Department will also endeavour to provide. Os far as circumstances allow, opportunities for instruction. As military drill in public schools will henceforth be carried out in accordance with regulations under the Education Act, it should bo clearly understood that officers’ uniforms may not be worn by those in charge of such drill unless they are officers in the 'Territorials or in the Senior Cadets- The Defence Department, recognising that many teachers ore interested in military drill, will, it is understood, make every effort to provide for those teachers who may wish to join either the Territorials or the Senior Cadets. Applications to join either branch of the defence forces should be addressed to the Commandant of the defence forces. The hope is expressed that the number of such applications will be considerable. No definite decision has as yet been arrived at regarding the disposal of uniforms and swords issued to officers since 1910. It is noit proposed to call in the equipment (consisting of jersey, cap, belt, haversack, and model rifles) now on issue, except in the case of schools where instruction in military drill will not be continued. In such cases, all the equipment. except the jersey, will require to be returned to store.

It is proposed to arrange for target practice with the Hazard air rifle outfit. For the present, however, schools that have been using miniature ranges (.22 rifle) will bo allowed to continue to do so. When the circular came up for discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the Wellington Education Board, Mr A. W. Hogg expressed the opinion that they should not make military drill a feature of their education system, and Mr Hogben, Inspector-General, should be told that very plainly. Military drill, he was glad to say, was in its decadence in this country.

Mr J. Kebbell said that a good deal of the success of the present Territorial scheme was owing to the drill given in the schools in the past.

The chairman 01 r R. Lee), pointing to the usefulness of the cadet svstem. said that from the year 1874 there was a cadet corps in Ghuznee street school under Hr Holmes, and the boys were then in uniform. From what he had seen he believed that the military drill had helped the discipline In the sshools to a great extant. The board will et-eperatt with the Defcsee Department tn jurying cat the X9t.