CRISIS IN CADET MOVEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8126, 4 June 1906, Page 2

CRISIS IN CADET MOVEMENT.

MEETING OF TARANAKI BATTALION OFFICERS.

THE BOARD'S STRICTURES CONDEMNED.

ALL OFFICERS RESIGN.

A meeting of the officers of the Taranaki Cadet Battalion was held in the Central School on Saturday, June 2nd, Major Dempsey in tho chair. Tho meeting was an enthusiastic one, and was well attended. The Quartermaster (Barry) submitted a repsrt on the cadet camp recently held at Sentry Hill, showing a balance of £5 Bs. A discussion arose re a young fellow named Hall, who sustained injuries while attacking the camp at night. It was suggested that his dootor's fee be paid by the battalion, but on the voices it was decided to take no action, pending a more speciflo application. After dealing with the camp matters, the real bone of contention was laid on the table, and camo in for a pretty picking. A long disoussiou took place on the recent action of the Board

iii oonsuring the conduct of battalion officers at the recent camp, and the circumstances leading up to Major Dempsey's resignation. The opinion was expressed that tho cadets had been governed, until latoly, with-1 put the interference of the Board and should continue to be so governed, No doubt the way was oponed up by the Officer Commanding the cadets forwarding correspondence to the Board to be dealt with, instead of being sent direct to the The Board had complained of not being consulted in regard to the recent camp. In reply it was pointed out that the Board had been oonsulted by Colonel Loveday j furthermore it was contended that there was no necessity for consultation ! as the Board had formerly passed a " resolution that a camp could be held 1 with its approval. Moreover, nothing is mentioned in the cadet regulations stating that such consultation should tako place. In reply to the Board's de- ! mand, that when required, all accounts shall be forwarded to an auditor appointed by the Bourd, it was decided to state that the accounts are ready for audit when required. I The upAot of the meeting was that the following resolution was unanimously passed : " We, the officers of the Taranaki Battalion Public School Cadets regret that your Board has seen fit to pass such unwarranted strictures upon cadet officers at the recent camp. We would point out, (I) That all officers are under the control of O.C.P.S.C. (Clause 1 C. regulations.) (2) That no investigation has been held by the Board as to the alloged misconduct. (3) That Commanding Officers have been condemned without having been given an opportunity to defend themselves. We therefore express our regret that Major Dempsey has been compelled to tender his resignation, and our indignation that the Board has been led from the proper sphere of duty into unjustifiable criticism of the Commanding Officer." " We, the officers of the battalion thorefore tender our resignations." A copy of the foregoing resolution has been forwarded to the Minister of Education. The resignations of the following officers are to be handed in : H. G. Pope, 0.C., vUrenui; W. Burnside, 0.C., Central No. 1; E. Barry Quartermaster 0.C., West End; W. H. Johnston, 0.C., Stratford No 1; A. J. Harding, Adjutant 0.C., Central No 2; H. D. Pritchard, Lieut., Central No. 1; C. Evetts, Lieut., West End j The resignations of tho remaining officers are to follow in duo courso.