"BANTAM" REGIMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVIII, Issue 288, 14 May 1915, Page 2

"BANTAM" REGIMENT.

AUClvf/AXD PROPOSAL. The physical qualifications which volunteers for active service are required to satisfy have caused the, rejection of a number of men who are regarded as entirely suitable for inclusion in the forces. Some of these men who are anxious to proceed to tin? front have discussed the •possibility of a "bantam 1 ' regiment being formed, and the suggestion has received some consideration in official quarters, althougii no decision has vet been reached. The present regulations prescribe, a minimum height of oft .fin and a minimum chest measurement expanded of .'So inches. They do not require definite chest expansion, and the consequence is that while a man of sft. -tin, whose chest measurement is only 33in to 35in, may be accepted, one whose height is just under the minimum, hut whose physical fitness is indicated by an expansion of -lin or iiin, must be rejected, "liantam battalions" have been proved ill Kngland a successful expedient to allow the little man opportunity to satisfy his proverbial eagerness for fighting. Should the authorities decide to form a force of "bantam'' New Zealanders there would be a ready response in Auckland,