PROGRESS OF DEFENCE SCHEME.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1362, 13 February 1912, Page 7

PROGRESS OF DEFENCE SCHEME.

GENERAL GODLKY WELL SATIS. (Br Tolerraoh-Pres," A, se datK, B 1 ™th a "Southland Time" S General Godlej- sra ted that the reoorts received from nil centres re?ar,lin? Rle drills and parades nnd K eneral nrranee srr the i)pfence Act *^5t at« from the territorial forces owin" to ♦J«r failure to come up to the retired standard of physical fitness, but who wore still ea ? cr to undergo training tho OenmT replied, 'Jt has been arran^d hat the* men w,U do U.eiv training in tli* rifle clubs, in accordance with the provisions .of thn Defence Act. which contemplate a portion of the training of necessity l>eing done in this manner.'■ It w hoped that, as the liniverfal tminin? scheme develops, rifle clubs will' be dovebped and more thoroughly or»an-ised.-niid will later form a vnlimblo wcond line to the Te/rHnrial Army. When thfi next, year's batch of youn» liien wlio a.Triyp at the a»e of IS becomi> liable for service, the mtention then is to post: those, who are not taken for the territorial force to rifle clubs in the wav T have taken in the meantime. T hope that nny young men who are in the position of not having been taken for the territorial force, and who wish lo undergo service! will pt.n'rt a rifle club in their own district. In the meantime though. T am afraid we cannot issue lorritoj-inl uniforms and equipment to any beyond those alr'osuly posted. We. are very rImI that any young won who wish to drill should attend drills wherever they are tnlcinp plnce. "T look forward," Hie Commandant ccmtimud, "lo a good rniiip of the Diinedin and butteries nt Afandeville bfrtween Fi'bruaic 2-1 and Mnroli :i. The work !c/v tlie first year will (if neo«wity l)e Very <le"ienUir.v, but iiiiich ihstvucl-ioii ivill he (,'aincd. The officers and men of Hie various raiments will be able to make each oHier'* acfluaihtance.-fliid the orsrani?;\lru of (he cclimne nml the fy.slem of adininislratimi Trill be placed on a sound fcotiii.T-"