MILITARY TRAINING

Southland Times, Issue 18852, 18 June 1920, Page 6

MILITARY TRAINING

EDUCATION COUNCIL DISCUSSION. THE SCHOOL CADETS. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON. June 17. At the Council of Education to-day Mr R. McCallum moved-—“ That the Council is of opinion that the system of military training of cadets should be restored and carried out by teachers with extra payment, and the present expensive system of military training be suspended for a period of at least ten years, in order that the present expenditure on unnecessary military officers, training, and equipment may be devoted towards further relieving (1) disabled soldiers, (2) dependents of killed and disabled, and -(3) repatriation generally.’’ In speaking to the motion Mr McCallum asked permission to qualify the word “suspended” by “partially” and to be allowed to omit all words after “ten years.” Professor Macmillan Brown said it looked like passing into the realm of politics, and moved to proced with the next business. This was seconded by Mr Hamilton. Mr J. H. Howell asked leave to move ‘That this Council is of the opinion that all training of pupils, whether physical or military, should be entirely in the hands of the education authority in charge of the school.” The Director of Education said it was not competent for the Council to deal with the latter as a part of the original motion.

Professor Macmillan Brown's amendment was. lost on the voices. Mr McCallum then reduced the motion to the simple effect that the military training of cadets should be restored and carried out by the school teachers with extra payment, Mr Howell’s amendment lapsed, and ultimately Mr McCallum’s motion was withdrawn.