MILITARY NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1132, 20 May 1911, Page 9

MILITARY NOTES.

[Br EcHEto-v.] I THE FUTURE OF RIFLE CLUBS. TERRITORIAL DISCIPLINE. During the course of his recent speech at Stratford, General Godley had something of interest to say about rille clubs. It was desired, ho said, that they should become a real live force in (ho scheme. They did not want rille clubs to consist merely, of men who went out to shoot at a black and white laigt't under tho most favourable conditions. Ho did not say that this was tho case with all rilla clubs, but there was that tendency. Some more life was wanted. It was hoped that the rifle clubs would form a second lino of reserve. The firet lino of reserve consisted of Territorials who had served their training up to tho afro of '25, and who wore on tiie rcseive until tho ago of !JO. Men were liable for service up to 55, and tho Department desired that when retired from the reserve at 30 men should join rifle clubs, and remain in them until they passed the age for service. Unless the rille clubs accepted military liability and did a course, of target practice which the Department would iay down, they could not bo of that service to the country which it was desired they should bo. Tho Department would therefore lay down a course, of target practice for rille clubs. It would not lie shooting at a black and white target, but shooting under sorvico conditions. The targets would bo in tho form of men, and would be of an indistinct colour and have a background of an indistinct: colour, making accurate shooting somewhat difficult. In war similar conditions obtained, and the desire of tho staff was to imitate thisc conditions as nearly as possible. Having, by regulation, given, duo authority for the preservation of discipline in our no»- citizen army, the General Stall' has also soon to the provision of penalties, for breaches of military law and order, and drafted a schedule of summary and minor punishments for offenders. A commanding officer in tho Territorial Force may, subject to the soldier's right to elect, previous to the award, to bo tried by District Court-martial, inflict tho following summary punishments on a private soldier (unless there arc reasons against the adoption of such a course; a soldier may, on the following day, bo given an opportunity of reconsidering his decision to bo tried by court-martial) :—■ (1.) Tines not exceeding .£2, but (2.) In tho case of simple drunkennr6S, a fine not exceeding £\, according to scale. (.').) Fines sufficient to mako good any expenses caused by him, or ior any loss of, or damage, or destruction done by him to, any arms, ammunition, equipment, clothing, instruments, or regimental ! necessities or military decoration, or to any buildings or property; provided that the total lines in any award under this sub-para, shall not exceed .£'s. (i.) In the ease of non-commissioned officers not above the rank of corporal, reduction to the ranks. The following scale of fines for shuplo drunkenness will bo adhered to.— First offence, 10s. Second offence, within twelve mouths, .£l. Third offence, within twelve months, trial by court-martial. Otherwise a fine of 111?, will bo imposed for each instance of simple drunkenness. A commanding officer may also inflict the following minor punishments, tho soldier having no right'to claim trial by court-martial :— Fines not exceeding .CI, except for drunkenness (private soldiers only). (2.) Confinement to camp ,or barracks (private soldiers only) for any period not exceeding fourteen days or to tho termination of tho training camp, during which defaulters will be required to answer to their names at uncertain hours throughout the day, and will bo employed on fatigue duties to. tho fullest, practicable extent, with a' view to relieving wellconducted soldiers therefrom. Defaulters will attend parades, ,on'd take all.: duties.. 'in regular turn. "When the fatigue duties' required are not sufficient to keep tho defaulters fully employed, tho commanding officer may order defaulters to attend punishment drill, provided that they shall not bo liable to punishment drill after the expiration of ten days from tho date of the award of confinement to camp or barracks. (3.) Extra guards or picquots (private soldiers only). These are only to be ordered as a punishment, for minor offences or irregularities when on, or parading for, those duties, (i.) Reprimand or . severe reprimand (non-commissioned officers only). (5.) Admonition (non-commissioned offi* CErs and private soldiers). (G.) Reversion to permanent grado in case of a non-commissioned officer hold-' ing acting-rank or appointment. in cases calling for higher punishment than laid down in this paragraph, tho commanding officers, through tho proper authority, will remand tho case, and will '■ make application for tho caso to bo tried by Court-martial. A company commander may award » private soldier:— (1.) Confinement to camp or barracks not exceeding three days. (2.) Extra guards or picquots. (3.) Fines up to 10s. (except for drunken* nessj. Such awards aro subject to any rcmis* sion a commanding officer may order, but may not bo increased. An officer in awarding a fine shall lw guided by the following scale :— Maxw • mumi fIBO. s. d, (a.) For appearing on parade not in the order of tho day, or with clothing, arms, aud accoutrements dirty, incomplete, or improperly put on 2 fl; (b.) Inattention or for minor irregularities a 6 (c.) Neglect to notify change of address within fourteen days of such change , 7- ft (d.) Failure to produce his personal record-book when called upon to do so by superior authority 10 fi (e.) Minor cases of nou-complianco with orders or neglect of duty... 10 Of (f.) Absent from parade without leavo .' 10 0, All fines not otherwise, recovered or tqcoverablo may bo deducted from tha soldier's pay, and will be paid into tho public account. "The liability fov wtvpiui linos will continuo so long as any fine or part of any lino remains unpaid. Courts-martial, Courts of inquiry, com. njittees, and boards will bo conducted in. accordanco with tho Rules and Procedure and King's Regulations (except that Courts of inquiry assembled in accordanco with Sections 0? to 71 of tho New; Zealand Defence Act, 1009, will bo assembled and conducted in accordanco with tho provisions of thoso sections). Imprisonment awarded by Courtmartial may be carried out in a civil prison. Ono officer at least of tho Territorial Force will servo on Courts-martial, Courts of inquiry, committees, and boards assembled in connection with tho Territorial Force. If no territorial officer is forthcoming, tho adjutant of a territorial unit will be considered an officer of tho Territorial Force for this purpose. No Court of inquiry, committee', or board involving expense will bo hold without tho authority of the office: commanding tho district. In cases c f illness to an officer or soldier during tho performance of military duty, a hoard will bo assembled as soon as possible for (ho purpose of investigating tho cause of such illness or injury. The proceedings will bo forwarded to district headquarters. When,' after investigation by a board of inquiiv. a commanding officer is of (he opinion that any injuries incurred by an officer or s.oldicr of the Territorial Force while on duty will lead (o incapacity or loss of employment, ho may recommend that tho soldier bo awarded pay and medical espouses as provided for.