THE TERRITORIALS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 872, 19 July 1910, Page 4

THE TERRITORIALS.

CIVIL SERVICE RIFLES' REUNION.

SPEECH BT THE PRIME MINISTEE.

The annual reunion of the Wellington Civil Service Rifles, held at the Hotel Windsor last evening, was the most successful function in the history of thfl corps. There was a very large attendance of members and friends, there ' being present, amongst others, the Prims Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), the Hon. Dr. Findlay (Minister for Justice), th» Hon. <D. Buddo (Minister for Internal Affairs), Colonel B. J. Collins, V.D., 1.5.0., Colonel J. R. Purdy, Lieut.-Colonel G. P. C. Campbell, Chaplain-Major W. Shirer,. and a number of officers of the Permanent Staff, the Territorial Force, and heads of Departments in the Civil Service.

The Civil Service and the Forces. Replying to the toast of "The New l proposed by Dr. i'ltchfett, who felicitated the Prime Minisi ' thi» recent developments of the Ji? 5? p - olicy ' Sir Joseph Ward said that Parliament was anxious to promote lue weitare of the Civil Service,-though no believed there was a difference of opinion among some people on that point, tie knew of no other country the members of the Civil Service were generally placed under "such favourable .circumstances as were enjoyed in New Zealand. bir Joseph went on to refer to recent developments in the defence policy of the dominion, and reviewed the important events, which had followed as * , - visit to New Zealand of Field Alarshal'Lord Kitchener. The x>lll before Parliament would, ha ieit convinced, commend to the great •majority of the people who took the trouble to examine it. Under the 6ystem. of quotas, each portion of the councry would be called upon to contribute annually a proportion to the defence forces. These would pass through their term in the Territorial Force, and ultimately would be transferred to the Reserve, and in about five years' timo the total number of trained men available for the defence of the country, taking the,-men actually serving in the Territorials and those in the Beserve, would constitute an efficient army of which the oountry would be proud, and these would, be no worse men, as citizens, .for having' undergone military training. Further, there ought not to>be any apprehension' whatever that the Government was about to .ask .ttiern to go through.that training without reimbursing them for .time lost when absent from their ordinary employment. Thev would be paid at the rate of 7s. per day—4s. per day in actual pay, together with free rations, afc 3s. per day, while in camp. When it was remembered that the very large proportion of the cost of the new aefence scheme represented in the payment of officers and' men during their military training remained in the country it would be seen that this expenditure would not be misdirected. The spirit of jingoism was altogether absent from the ideala which formed- the basis of the defence policy,/ They were not anxious for war, but they could not close their eyes to the fact that in every country tremendous developments had bsen taking placo in the strengths of land . and sea forces, and the necessity of mating the defensive requirements of New Zealand, a oountry which was rapidly developing its resources, wealth, and population,' had become a matter of paramount importance. They looked, in reality, to Britain's fir9t line of defence, the Navy, for their protection, but should the day ever oome —and he ■ earnestly hoped that it would never come—when the Navy was no longer available,. New Zealand would have within her own shores an army of defence,-and the moment would, have arrived when the resources of the country in that - respect would be put to the test. New Zealand's spontaneous gift to the nation at a moment of deep international significance had been an object lesson to the world, and an earnest of the desire of the people of the Dominion to be at one with the people of the Empire in the maintenance of the prestige -and solidarity of the British .nation. In connection, with the reorganisation of the New Zealand forces, tne Prime Minister desired to acknowledge the immense amount of work which had been done by Colonel Robin in the preparation of the mass of detail required for the completion of the scheme as now before the House. (Applause.) By and by, when the new commandant had assumed control, the system would by degrees be placed upon a sound basis, which would ensure ths early training of their young men. When the Estimates Come Down.

• Inverting to the Civil Service, \ Sir Joseph, referring to„ "that very interesting document .described as. the_ , Estimates," indicated that the stringency which had occurred a year or two ago having now eased . Parliament would now be able to give a little more encouragement in the way of increased emoluments—though not as much' as they deserved. All these things went to show that the country-was moving along in the right direction: (Applause.) He congratulated the corps and its commanding officer (Captain Marshall) upon its work, and referred with pleasure to the keenness which characterised the ef-' forts of territorial officers in striving for efficiency in their corps. The toast of "The Empire Forces" was proposed .by the Hon. Dr. Findlay (Min-. ister for Justice), who said that the best expression of true patriotism was in deeds, not" words, and the men , who gave up their leisure for military', training were true patriots. He referred to the striking development which had of late been noted in the fostering of military ideals; the lion-cubs were leading the way, and the . old lion mother must follow. He urged those present to strive ■ towards . the goal of military efficiency—they could not make a system good by self-laudation. Colonel Purdy (director of Medical Services) also, responded to the toast. Other toasts were "The Civil Service Eifles," proposed.by the Hon. D. Buddo, and responded to by Captain Marshall and Mi. I'. 11. B. Fisher (an old member of. the corps); "The Battalion," proposed by Colonel R. J., Collins, V.D, 1.5.0.; "The District Staff," "Othei Corps," "The Honorary Members,". and "The Visitors."- During the evening tha following company shooting prizes were presented Corporal Gazley, belt, gold medal, and shooting material; Corporal Johnstone, handicap shield, gold medal, and biscuit barrel;. Sergeant Joplin, shooting material; Sergeant Fisher, shooting ■ materia) Corporal Low, shooting material I Corporal Joplin, shooting material; Lance-Corporal Bennett, walking stick; Private M'Kay, Mr. Hudson's trophy and shboting material; Private Matthews, books. Contributors to musical proeramma were: Messrs. W. Hendry, A. Hobman, jr. Nolan, D.' Twohill, J. Dykes, Woods, Marks, J. F.' Carr, M'AVilliams. Mr. D. Kenny -was accompanist.