FEDERAL DEFENCE.
By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Melbourne, July 9.
In the House. Sir John Forrest explained the defence Bill. The defence expenditure of the federating states last year was nearly L’Boo,ooo, but they could not afford to spend much more in the future than in the past. The Transvaal had proved that Australia's citizen soldiers could hold their own with trained veterans. The Bill provided that the Governor-General has supreme control, with a minister to advise, and a general commander and State commandants. Citizens and permanent officers will bo treated alike, according to the date of their .■•qmmission. No officer will be allowed to hold one command more than live rears.
In explaining the Defence Biii Sir .John Forrest said that the highest rank of officers, apart from general officers, would be limited to a colonel in the military, and captain in the naval service. If all men between the ages of 18 and 00, for which the Dill gave power, were called out, Australia could raise a force of nearly 974,000. They wanted as a genera! commander one of the best men in the Imperial service, with experience and sympathy for citizen soldiers.
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Bibliographic details
Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 153, 10 July 1901, Page 2
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193FEDERAL DEFENCE. Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 153, 10 July 1901, Page 2
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