THE TERRITORIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 209, 10 May 1912, Page 5

THE TERRITORIALS.

RUGBY AND FUSS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Thursday. Representatives of the Rugby Union, Football Association, and the Hockey Association waited on General Godley to-day in reference to the number of daylight parades called for this month, in particular the parades called for June 1 and 3 in Newtown Park. General Godley said there was no other suitable location. The deputation accepted the explanation and withdrew tfhe objection. With reference to the parades called for tjiis month, the General said theße were rendered necessary owing to the fact that the uniforms had not come to hand earlier, also because a certain number of parades had to be held before the end of the volunteer year. It wa« very unlikely that siimlar circumstances would arise again. The deputation made it clear that they were not opposed to military training. On the contrary, they supported the scheme, and recognised that defence had to come first and all forms of sport second. They expressed the opinion, however, that it would be a very good thing if the Territorial system and various forms of sport could be run hand in hand. They suggested that it might be possible to give notice of daylight parades to sports bodies some time before the date fixed, and that as many daylight parades as possible should be held in the dead season. General Godley said in future all daylight parades would probably be notified a considerable time ahead, but 'he pointed out that the basis of the system of Territorial scheme was continuity of training. 1 CAMP AT ASHBURTON. Asliburton, Last Night. The casual camp on the Ashburton A. & P. Show Grounds, in connection with the Territorials of the South Canterbury district, which began on Thursday, May 2, will break up to-morrow. Those taking part in the camp—about 280 infantry and Go mounted men—were unable to attend the Easter encampment at Orari under Captain Andrews (Officer Commanding) and his lieutenants and staff-sergeant-majors. The men, who were very raw at the commencement, have made great imprbvement, and the period of training proved very useful. The encampment generally has been a success. This afternoon the men indulged in a varied programme of military and athletic sports, which were witnessed by a considerable number of townspeople. Unfortunately, the meeting was late in the day. and was somewhat marred through Trooper McQueen, of Mayfieiu, being thrown from his horse while competting in one of the events, and sustaining a fracture of the right leg.

j CAMP DRINKING. ■ Christchurch, Last Night. (Arising out of allegations made regarding drunkenness at Territorial camps, | the officers of the Ohristehurch ProhibiJ tion League have addressed the followl ing letter to Mr. A. M. Myers, Minister of Defence: "Wie are ens Losing a copy of a letter addressed to General Godley. in which certain facts are stated concerning drinking in connection with Territorial camps. We have no iteason to believe that the condition of affairs prevailing at the camps specified was an> worse than that obtaining at othef camps. Indeed, knowing the officers, we have tovery reason to believe that thev were extremely solicitous lor the welfare of those under t)hem. The fact of the matter is that the camps should not have betn placed in the proximity of hotels. When the Defence Bill was go--1 ing through the House your predecessor in office, as Defence Minister, promised definitely, in reply to Mr. Newman, that no camp would be established within five j miles if an hotel. We think you will agree with us that apart altogether from the moral aspect, from a military and disciplinary standpoint, this is necessary and desirable. In addition to this wo wish to urge strongl?_this aspect of the question: That the camps are compulsory and consist largely of mere \ boys; that parents are compelled to send their sons for military training; and that under these conditions they have a Tight to expect that the utmost care will be taken to preserve from conj tamination their sons, who are at an I a«C' at which few boys have learned 1 fixed principles." In the letter to General Godley, instances are given of objectionable conduct on the part of Territorials at the Templeton and Rangiora camps, due to drinking. The letter concludes: "With regard to the camps with which we are more closely associated, we have brought no charges of extensive drunkenness, and we have recognised that on your own part, and on that of some of the commanding officers, there has been an earnest effort to stop all drinking, but our point is that so long as the sites of camps, are chosen with disregard to the promise made by the late Minister of Defence that no camp would be held in close proximity to licensed houses, it is impossible to* prevent a certain amount of drinking. Now, as the Territorial camps do not consist of volunteers, but of young lads whose parents are compelled by the law to send their sons for military training, we think we make no extreme demand wWpti we urge that the prom is# referred to shall be rigidly fulfilled."