A DEFENCE BILL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2231, 7 November 1907, Page 3

A DEFENCE BILL.

(Special to Times). WELLINGTON, Nov. 6. Tim Defence Act Amendment Bill, introduced by ithe Hon. R. MeNa.b, provides for tl:.formation of resene corps. Tho Act- of ISS6 is amended by allowing volunteer corps to elect all their officers below the rank of captain, instead of below .the rank of field officer. The Act of 1900 provided that volunteers returned as efficient for five consecutive ym-rs might bo enrolled on the reserve list. The new Bill shortens the term to throe years. A fine of £5 is to be imposed on an officer of volunteers .and £1 on a volunteer who fails without reasonable excuse to appear at the annual .instruction parade. The penalty may be recovered as under the Justice of the Peace Act, ISS2. The capitation clause is remodelled so as to -provide for capitation in respect of reserve corps, lint not for volunteers who are on the reserve list but not formed info the reserve corps. Out of the capitation payable in respect of each volunteer a sum to be proscribed hv itho regulations shall lie paid to the officer commanding the' division, .brigade, regiment, or battalion to which such volunteer belongs to provide for maintaining the volunteers’ uniform. The right of a permanent .militia man to obtain his discharge shall mo;t he exercisable when members of the permanent- militia are on active service. The right to sell or let rifle ranges is taken a wav. Trustees under the Volunteer Drill Sheds and Lands Act, IRBS. are to include in every case the officer commanding the district.