MILITARY CAMPS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3635, 23 September 1912, Page 5

MILITARY CAMPS

STATEMENT BY GENERAL GODLEY. By Telegraph—Special Corresnondent WHANGAREI, Sept. 22. Representations on the subject of military training camps interfering with agricultural and dairying pursuits in the summer months were mado by the TVLangarei Chamber of Commerce to Major-General Godley, who wrote in reply as follows: In reply to vour letter of August 13, regarding training camps, I am, as you know, only too anxious to try and meet everybody’s wishes as far as possible, perhaps more especially the farmer, who, I know, have to make such great s«orifices in tho cause cf universal training. 1 think it will be possible to arrange that the infantry camp which last year was held from February 23 to March 2, may this year be later, and therefore, I trust, at a timo more convenient to you, but I am afraid your suggestion that tincamp should lie hold during the absolute winter months is not practicable, for the reason that we have to consider both tho training and the -health of the men. As regards the former, the days are so short and tho weather so bad once the winter comes that we should not get value for the money expended and as regards the latter it is quite out of the question that wo can take young men and boys —which is really all they arc—and put thorn under canvas in the depths of winter. At the same time, as I have, said, I am sure we shall bo able to arrange for no camp to be held till at any rate later in March, and in order to help the farmers we have arranged to do away with most of the drills throughout . the year which, I hear on all sides, are a source of considerable hardship, and to substitute, in their place a longer time in camp. Yonr infantrymen will therefore probably bo required for. 15 days, probably about the end of April, as last year. I think when you put against this the fact that beyond this we shall onlv requiro the men to go to parade about once, a month or perhaps even loss, you will realise that we are doing ‘all ,wo possibly can to meet you. As the foregoing seemed to meet vrit-h the general approval of the memDnrs present, it was det kUd to thank Major-Gen. Godley for his action in this matter.