THE TERRITORIALS.
Colonel Allen Bell, senior officer of the 4th Battalion sub-division, under tho new defence scheme has been appointed to organise the Territorial Forces in the South Auckland district and will commenco the organisation of the three arms, artillery, mounted rifles, and infantry at once. The command of the field artillery detachment has been offered to and accepted by Captain Herdman, late of the "15" Battery. Dunedin, a highly experience 1 artillery officer. Colonel Bell has made the necessary arrangements for the temporary supply of two guri3 until the Battery can be procured from England. As there arc a large number of highly eligible gentlemen offering their services as officers in the newforces, Colonel Bell has decided to set up a local board of selection consisting of Major Barclay, Captain Herdman and himself. The selection of all officers for the three arms will be made by this board and sent on to the South Auckland district for approval. This system will lead to men of the highest qualifications being selectedmem in whom the parents of the members of the local Territorials have the utmost confidence. A local headquarters office has been established in the Imperial Buildings. Hamilton, where the permanent area officer will be stationed on his arrival from the Featherston camp in about a month's time. In the meantime arrangements are being made for a commissioned officer to be in attendance at the headquarters office at certain hours (to be notified later) for the purposse of swearing in recruits and giving information.
GENERAL TRAINING. The Government has approved the issue of large posters setting out that there is an obligation upon every male resident of New Zealand between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five to undergo a course of military training. Tim poster quotes the Defence Act, 1909, which provides for compulsory training, and no doubt the nearest area officer will be namdd when the posters are distributed in various localities. Physical unfitness is the first cause of exemption provided for in the statute, but the following will also be exempt from svfvl ca '. " " Members of the Permanent Staff and permanent Force. Persons who qualify by examination ns officers or instructors to the junior cadets while they so act. Those who have been convicted ot any disgraceful crime, or found by any Court of Justice to be of notoriously bad character. The decision of any Dominion Court of Justice and any military court-martial will he accepted on this point. The Governor has power by proclamation to exempt in any time of peace all or any persons residing within any particular area, or to vary or extend the area. The object of this provision is to meet the case of outlying settlers who on account ot distance cannot, without great expense and loss of time in travelling to and fro carry out the obligation to undergo'training. Should they move into an unexemptcd area, they must witnin thirty days report to the area officers. . , The burden of proving exemption from service, lies upon the person claiming exemption. . Traning in the general trnunnsection shall, according to the Act, be fourteen days in tram.ne; camp mid twelve half-days at drill m the area in which the individual reseie.-c except in the artillery and i>ngm.-er mammc,!, in which tho training e.hal, he .0i,.teendaya in camp <»> d Usvniy !..».■ days or their equivalent.
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King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 336, 11 February 1911, Page 5
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558THE TERRITORIALS. King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 336, 11 February 1911, Page 5
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