The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1884. MILITARY DRILL IN SCHOOLS

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1714, 19 June 1884, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1884. MILITARY DRILL IN SCHOOLS

The question of military drill in schools, was to have been discussed at the meet: ing of tho Masterton School Committee last evening, on the motion of Mr Woodroofe, a well-known settler, who holds extreme views on every question, and who, thanks to the cumulative vote, hau an opportunity of airing them at the School Committee gatherings. Offing possibly to inclement weather last evening, he was hot at his post, and his motion lapsed, only, we expect, to be brought forward again at the first opportunity. We trust that the reputation that the Committee, has earned in the past for practical good senee, will not be materially affected by its indulgence towards motions of of this character. The opponents to military drill in schools, however conscientious they may be in their convictions, must necessarily be in a minority. It would of course be a fine thing if the necessity for. military training could be dispensed with in the world, but everybody almost is aware that the earth and the inhabitants thereof are not yet ripe for the universal dominion of a law of love. There is happily little immediate need for military training in New Zealand, but the day may come when tho homes of settlers may depend on the courage of the men of New Zealand, on their capacity to carry weapons of warfare, and in their skill in the use of them. But apart' from this, military drill teaches boys to hold their heads up, to walk straight, and to obey promptly the word of command. This alone is a training that tonds to make boys manly. No school that can conveniently organise a cadet corps should be without one. There is a tendency for some boys to become effeminate,.and there is also a tendency for others of a more robust temperament to become larrikins. The lessons taught by cadet drill help to modify botji of these evils, and the universal testimony of more advanced communities than our own, is strongly in favor of military- drill as apart of a complete educational system. Even in New Zealand military drill for boys has the authority of tho Legislature, and! we are not sure that Mr Woodroofe in running amuck at it, does not lay himself open to a charge of disloyalty.