NATIONAL RESERVE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2369, 27 January 1915, Page 6

NATIONAL RESERVE

NEW CONSTITUTION QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ;« FORCE POSITION DEFINED Commanders, of the New Zealand Military Districts have been notified that new regulations regarding tie. enrol-, ment or the National Reserve are now lorco. These new regulations are not intended to in any way detract from , sscelleat work,,, or organisation; already earned out' by tho/National Reser™, but gives them a free hand to work the reserve up it) be ready to become part of the Defence Forces' in emergency. The District Staffs will conuTUiQ to assist in every w&y the' executivß of the National Reserve. Similar i assoc&toras 6uo\i a& tt\e Citizens' Defence Corps, Farmers' Clubs, etc., formea outside the National Reserve are 1 m? 0 *' re . a^e d on. the same lines. ... The object of the National Reeervo is set out as follows' 'To form registers throughout military districts of those. 0 nave served' in any of .tli© naval. or military forces'/of the Empire, who, being under no obligaiion to serve or come up for service. in times of peace, under the various'' Defence Actsj still desire to organis© and do something to assist in the protection of the Dominion in tune of. emergency.". ;. ' Who Can Join the Reserve, ' : These are the qualifications:. (a) Ex-ofßcors of any of the Military Forces and of the Naval Reserve, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and kindred Colonial Forces. • (b) 1. Ex-Naval ratings and Marine ranks. 2. Naval and Marine pensioners over 55 years, Royal 'Naval Re- . 1 serve Pensioners enrolled' prior to 1906, at 65 .years. . 3. Royal Fleet Reserve, Royal Naval' Volunteer Reserve, and ' kindred colonial forces. (c) Ex-soldiers arid special Reserve. .. (d) Ex-Militiamen. (e) Ex-Yeomanry, ex-volunteers, aiid exmembers of. biatrial forces, ' " (f) Ex-Territoriale. ■ (g) Individuals 'who have been duly granted a war medal. (h) Ex-members of Constabulary. . (i) Legion of Frontiersmen. (j) Honorary members of rifle clubs, " (k) Honorary Territorials. (1) Members of St. John Ambulance, (m) Other persons approved by the committee. ' The Duties of the Body. Lists will be prepared in every district by a committee; composed of retired officers under a; chairman. Such lists will be by platoons,' troops, companies, equadrons, batteries, etc., according to the arm of service desired in each residential area, with a view to the fact that in grave national emergency. such bodies may; be called up by the Govern-, ment putting into' opera tion the terms of the Militia Act still embodied in the New Zealand Defence Act.

The duties- of the- Reserve are thus defined: ' •

(a) '(In peace);; To maintain the lists referred to. To bring home to the Territorials and Cadets their duty to faithfully serve through .the training, required under the Defence Act. To assist the Defenco authorities in 'every area, and to generally, assist the schemei or defence, (b) To be ready to be called up, in which-case they will be already organised' aa listed bodies instead of being merelv a number. of individuals hurnedly called together; also to bring homo to the publio in time of. war the duty of enlisting for service. , ' , Training and Arming the Men. ■ In time of peace, the Military VAuthorities cannot undertake to drill or train the National Reservej nor can arms or equipment be provided. Aocommodatioil in drill halls _. or on rifle ranges cannot lb granted as a right, hut will be,-provided where possible uri-' der local arrangements. It should be remembered that in a very short whilo all men of New Zealand will have undergone training, and the National Reserve will naturally be composed of already trained men. The Reserve in peace .time should be considered as.a body ol patriotic citizens listing themselves to-, 'gether as a precautionary measure, assisting the Defence and local authorities, and ready to undergo further training and receive equipment when actually called up by the Government. Matters of Management. The management of tie Reserve in districts or branches in a district will he under, thei control of an .executive, committee consisting of a president, vice-president, and ton other members to bo elected by the branch. This committee will fix the subscription, and draw up rules to meet local requirements. The military authorities in. the districts need not be consulted as to these rules excepting where, there is a doubt as to infringing on any Military Act, Regulation, or custom. When consulted, the Military Authorities -prill be ■pleased to give advice , and assistance. There is, however, no _power to administer the oath of allegiance, or to compel service in any capacity until actually called up for service. The badge of the reserve may at all times be worn by members of the Reserve. At suitable national and military ceremonials place will be set aside for members of the Reserve.