A TANGLED SKEIN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2750, 19 April 1916, Page 6

A TANGLED SKEIN

REORGANISING THE NATIONAL RESERVE

SOME RECOMMENDATIONS

About fifty men wore present at tho citizens' meeting held in connection with the re-organisation of the National Reserve held in the Accountants' Chambers last evening. Mr. A. W. Newton was appointed chairman.. The first business of the meeting was the consideration of recommendations of the committee appointed at last week's meeting. The first explanation asked by members was whether the members of the National Reserve were now under the new regulations (a summary of which has already ai)i,fci:ed).

The chairman said that attendance at parudes constituted membership of the National Reserve as constituted under the new regulation©.

When this was made quite clear Mr. S3. Robinson asked when a man could rceign. The chairman: At any time now. Thereupon Mr. Robinson tendered his resignation to his company commanaer and left the room.. He returned in a few moments and begged'to be allowed, to read Ilia letter of resignation in order: to -explain his reason for resigning, which was to the effect that he had joined voluntarily, but he had no * idea of being compelled to serve by the adoption of the new regulation. Later in the evening Mr. Von Haast said that he believed that this declaration of service was being interpreted to be the oath of allegiance. He 6aid that no member of the National Reserve, not even Colonel Porter, could explain Rule 9, and ' he suggested that the Minister of Defence be asked to get an interpretation of Rule 8 (the declaration of service clause) from the Solicitor-General. Mr. J. S. Tennant said he did not think there was anything in the nature of fines, arrest or imprisonment, and that ' the movement was as voluntary as ever it was. There was no talk of compulsion. This opened up a discussion as to the (standing of the Reserve—was it a civil or a military body? j , . . r Mr. S. Hampton said it was evident that the regulations had obviously been made to harmonise with the Government, regulations, and if tli<at were so, why not ndopt the Government regulations and 6ee how they, get on. As- a matter of [act, he said that the majority of the members of the Reserve were over the age when they would be likely to be calletf up for military service. Mr. H. Amos said that he had put the question to Colonel Porter, who had' replied that the Reserve was a military body. Ho thought that the majority of members were fit for military service, and it might be that they would, be called up for 6ervice before very long, and the Reserve was a means of keeping themselves fit; ..-•-,.'-.

Mr. Hampton said that there was nothing in the regula.tions brought down that would infuse new life into the movement, for he took it that the object of the movement was to inculcate a spirit of national service among the men of iiew Zealand, and he found that there was nothing in the' regulations to induce newmembers, to join or to prevent them from leaving. They had lost one that night. The chairman: He canie with- it in hia pocket.

Mr. Hampton: That's on account of tho regulations that aro embodied in the proposals. '.

Mr. Thomas Ward thought that as they had been pronounced a military body there Bhould bo some penalty for nonattendance at parades, unless a logical reason for absence was forthcoming. ; 1' Holmes 6 nid ho could not see what the objective of the Reserve was, Ho did not know what the object of the foot drill was, because there wore no rifles or equipment for them if they were called upon to serve.' Ho had novor seen the job' that was not one pairt tcchhioai and nine parts common-sense, but it, his opinion the Minister had never shown any enthusiasm for the National Reserve, and the.military were not tho people to take a civilian, and he did not r?"£ th ey possessed the whole.ten parts It they had, taken the advice of Lord Roberts, England would not bo in the position she is to-day. Mr. T. Ward stuck out' for penalties for non-attendance, at drills tie moved as an amendment:—"That in iTf 6 W * o£ ! aD T - mem^e ? not lending mo,,H* tw -» ve ? rlU s and parades in six months without sufficient excuse, he should, when i called upon by tho O.C -hand in his badge, and thereafter cease n £ member of the Reserve" ■;• On this being put to the meeting, it ivas defeated on the voices, whereupon Mr. Ward said he did not wish to belong to a flapdoodle body, and mado to leave the room. . ' Mr. Holmes pointed out that a man 1 » a , vllls !> ald for his badge, it could not be taken from him.

Mr. H. Pago suggested that the part of the amendment referring to tho badge be cut out. I .

This was done, and on the amendment being once more put, it was carried by a large majority, and Mr. Ward resumed his seat amidst-laughter. Mr. Holmes took objection to the olause' providing that tho National Eeserve be constituted, the Reserve of Territorials on the ground that it may be made a shelter for those fit for military service On his motion that clause was cut out. ' I Mr : H. Amos moved' that the Com- | hiandant be requested to ask the comj' panies to turn put on the departure of tho next Reinforcements, and that company commanders be urged to secure n good muster in order' to give the Reinforcements a good send-off. This was carried.

The recommendations adopted on which the foregoing desultory discussion- itook place are as follow:—, 1. That the new executive should bo elected without delay. '• ;_2. That the group exercise the right given it by the rules to elect all twelve members, including tho ' president and vice-president, this committeo being n civilian body. ,

3. That each existing company or corps be entitled to elect, one representative, and that such representatives when elected elect a president and vice-president. i. That only financial members of the group bo entitled to vote at the election. 5. That a balance-sheet and statement of the receipts,and payments of the present executive of the group be presented to the first meeting of the new executive, and that an annual meeting of all members of the group be held, at which tho retiring executive shall present a Tepori and balance-sheet and statement of receipts and payments. 6. That this meeting suggest to tie new executive tho consideration of the reTTsion of tho rules. 7. That all officers, except those who actually hold army rank at the present time, be required to pass the territorial examination for first appointment to commissions at the first examination held after the expiration of six months from their respective appointments. 8. That in the reorganisation of the in fantry units of the group, no unit 1m allowed a separate existence unless it has a regular parade state of at least one platoon, say, 70, and. that adjoining units with a less parade state than 70 be amalgamated so. as to form at least one platoon. Such platoon may be subdivided, into separate sections of, say, not less than 20 each, according to districts, and may have attached to it a suburban section or sections of not less than 20 each, 9. That in lieu of the existing battalionorganisation, the Wellington group foi the present be organised as one complete company of four platoons, say, 284 6trong. additional companies being created it and when the Ist Company is over its full strength. 10. That for the purpose of the necessary reorganisation all officers and noncommissioned officers shall be deemed to have vacated their positions as officers 01 non-commissioned officers of their respective units, but that all officers who de3ire to sit for any territorial examination in, 1916 shall not be required to resign their commissions, but shall,' if not elected or appointed as officcTs under this or the next clause, remain ■ officers on the. unattached list. The newly constituted platoons shall elect platoon commanders, such election being on the express condition that the -officers elected shall pass the said territorial examination held after the expiration of six months from their respective appointments, , 11. That the district commandant ba

the major of the company, and after consultation with the newly-elected platoon commanders shall recommend for the approval of the Selection Board, a captain, and after consultation with the platoon commanders appoint a sergeant-major and quartermaster-sergeant of the company. 12. That each platoon commander recommend to the major tho non-commissioned officers of his platoon after examination of the applicants for the position. 13. That platoon drills bo hold at least once a week for three weekß in each month, and that on the fourth week of each month a company drill be held, and that on one Saturday afternoon each alternate month a daylight company parade be held for the purpose of marching and extended order work; that the work of the company so far as possible be based on that 'done at Trentham. 14. That there be a company class once a week for all officers and non-com-missioned officers of the company. j 15. That there be a drill for all recruits I of the City platoons once a week, to be conducted in turn by the 'non-commis-sioned officers of each platoon. . 16. That the. company be run on the lines of an officers' training corps for the purpose of giving practice to men desirous of qualifying as officers or non-coni- | missioned officers, and that facilities should be given to each man who desires it and shows prohcency to take his turn in drilling a squad, platoon, or company. That all men who have enlisted and not yet .been called up, or who contemplate enlisting, be invited to drill with tho Preserves. 17. That each platoon keep up its activities on tho civil as well as the military side, and act as the nucleus of a district patriotic committee (in conjunction' with the Red Cross, Women's National Reserve, and other patriotic societies) to do all necessary patriotic work in its district. . 18. That the National Reserve having been established for military training and military service, the Dominion Commandant be asked to arrange for'and to head a deputation of the National Eeserve, including representatives from other districts, to the Hon. the Defence Minister, to ask him to provide arms, as soon as possible, for the Reserve. 19. That an appeal be made to all the original effective members of the group to Tejoin, and help to make the Reserve an efficient body not only during the war, but as part of the permanent, defence organisation of the country.