MILITARY NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1240, 23 September 1911, Page 9

MILITARY NOTES.

(Edited Bt Echelon.) SUGGESTED MILITARY PENSION SCHEME. Tho death of one of the best known and most enthusiastic rifle shots in Australia, Lieutenant-Colonel William Frederick Longfield, V.D., who for many years Wis n prominent member of tho National Riflo Association of Now South Wales, is announced. The deceased officer joined; tho old Suburban' Battalion of Volunteer Hides as a second lieutenant on November ID, 18(ii). This was merged into tho Second Australian Infantry Regiment, and lie roso to the rank of major, when iio transferred to the reserve of officers, eventually retiring in September, ICO2. Ho was n member of the first executive of tho National Itillo Association, and held tho position of chairman of the N.It.A. Council up till half a dozen years ago. Ho worked enthusiastically in tho cause of marksmanship for nearly half a century, and-tho present, position of tho ,N.It.A. is largely due to his energetic service. In 1(107 tho. council named in his honour tho LongfieUl Aggregate, one of tho most coveted prizes of tho Australian Uisley.

Further proof of the potential value of tho aeroplane in warfare is given by. tho results of u series of important experiments in France. M. Aubrun, a wellknown aviator, drove his machine far out over the sen and ascended to a height of 500 metres, whence ho carried out important observations, clearly seoing a, submarine travelling thirty metres uudor water. Tho naval aviator of tho future, it is thus shown, will be able to; act I 'as scout and loeato submarines hitherto invisible. Two French ofiicors recently ascended on a biplano lit ted with a' now typo of apparatus for wireless tolegranhv. Evolutions were carried out at a height of 500 metres over Ifumbouillct, which is about 50 k 'metres from tho Eiil'ol Tower,, and a wireless message was sent to tho receiving station at. the Tower, whence it was retransmitted to the War Ministry. The wireless apparatus employed on this occasion weighs 21 kilogrammes. Tho spark which 'sets up tho waves is generated by a magnetic npplianco actuated by the aeroplane engine, and theri) is a special device which permits of tho steel wire antenna being unwound or wound in at will when the machine is in the air. Tho experiments are considered to have, been decisive, and it will henceforward Ix 3 possible for ollicers of tho air squadrons to report immediately to headquarters the discoveries made by I hem with the aid of their aeroplanes.

The Commonwealth Government desires to make clear its determination that nvjrit should slaml alone as the qualification for cadctships at. the Royal Military College. The Prime Minister recently stated that should it lie found that examination fees preventhd poor men's sons from competing for endstsbips, tho fees would lio abolished. Most of tho first cadets were State, ncliool eludsiils.

Nothing hap yet boon dnns (states tho Melbourne "Age") with Lord Kitchener's recommendations for tho establishment of n. military stud farm in (he Northern■ Territory on a scale which would allow of the exportation of cavalry horses, to Great Britain, but a scheme is in preparation for increasing the supply of military horses : in view of llio growing needs of the citizen force?. A proposal has been made by the Chief of Ordnance that mares declared unfit for military work should not be sold as in the past, but should be retained for stud use.

At a recent meeting of tho Burner'' Labour Federation (Broken Hill, N.8.W.) a deputation from tho Amalgamated Miners' Association pointed out that tho association's main objection was to a clause in the Dofonco Act not generally' known till recently, ,j\, jrhich compelled... chdets (o obey the Gotataor-General case of domestic troubles, and which meant, iij tho event of a strike being de-i clnTed, that cadets could be called to arms , and so bccomo strike;.breakers. Another " Objectionablo clsuko Was that workingmoll's sons wero debarred from rising to tho highest position in the force, as they 1 would first have to pass through a military college, which necessitated tho payment of a fco beyond the average workman's pocket. After considerable discussion, it was decided to support tho Miners' Association in its action againsfl the existing- Act. V

Already, states tho "Age," the Commonwealth Government has entered upon tho dispiriting .work of scrapping its obsolcto war vessels. On the recommendation of tho Naval Board tho Minister for Defenco has decided .to sell four of tho old torpedo boats, orico tho prido of tho Defenco Departments of t.ho State, l-'on twenty years or rnoro these diminutive; lighting ships havo done their share iiiprotecting tho cities arid commerce of Australia, bitt they have had their day, nntl ore to pass now to loss imposing uses. Tho Naval authorities will m.\ko Rood uso of tho engines, which have been well preserved, and aro described as in excellent condition. One is to bo used as an electric power generator. Tho shins wero built for speed, and have thin hulls, but it is hoped that they will bring a good price. Tho Countess of Hopetoun anil the Childers will bo kept for naval reserve work, and tho picket boat will ba retained.

A new scheme for tho medical wort entailed by the new defence system has been recommended by tho Australian, Military Board and adopted by tho Government. Sonic change from the old systern, whoreby the medical officer of an area had to do all tho examinations for <525 ft year, bocamo necessary, because tho refnsed to proceed with the examination of tho junior cadets unless they were paid 2s. (id. a head. Tho new scheme, which provides for payment of <CGO a year in each training area and for honorary rank i'or tho doctors engaged, is as follows:— 1. That the present appointments of medical officers to training areas continuo to hold good. 2. That a sum of .£BO per annum bo allowed for each training area for all medical .examinations, excluding permanent fot-ocs under the Defenco Act within tho area, but including medical' examination for thoso liable for training in the junior cadets; medical examination of boys liable for training in the senior cadets who for local reasons have not .been previously medically examined for' senior cadet sorvicc; medical examination of junior cadets on transfer (o senior cadets; medical examination of officers for first commissions in existing citizen forces; medical examination of officers of tho citizen forces for promotion; medical ex*. animation of recruits for existing citizen' forces; medical examination of senior cadets on transfer to tho citizen forces; other medical examinations when specially .required by the district principal medical officer, medical attendance on members of the A and I staff and their wives and families, in accordance with regulations, except for thoso attended by tho medical officer in charge of permanent troops; medical officer to lx> a member of anv medical board on citizen troops or endot's within the battalion area; attendance on citizen soldiers or cadets residing in area who have contracted injuries on duty, cases extending over five .visits to bo ! upecial cases, nnd if not treated in «" general hospital, ono guinea for three visits to bo allowed. ,I..Where distance would involve considerable expense and time, another practitioner may bo omployed nt. two guineas a day and travel, ling allowance, the full allowance of not to bo paid if the appointed officer is unable to examine 10 per cent, or more of thoso allotted to him. 4. Officers of (ho Army Medical to b'e eligible f or appointment. 5. Civilian medical appointees to bo granted honorary rank. (!. Honorary rank to be made substantive if a qualifying examination is pasted. 7. When tho organisation for universal training is completed, ail establishment of medical officers for battalion areas to bo defined,