Troops for the Cape.

Manawatu Herald, 21 July 1903, Page 2

Troops for the Cape.

In submitting the War Office vote in the House of Commons, Mr Brodrick, Minister for War, while not personally enthusiastic, announced the decision of the Committee on Defence—a decision.attributed by some subsequent speakers to Mr Chamberlain’s influence—to maintain in South Africa a permanent force of twenty-five thousand ■standing outside the linke'd battalion system, comprising four cavalry regiments, twelve batteries of field artillery, fourteen battalions of line and four garrison regiments. Mr Brodrick explained that, recruits would be sent from England to South Africa, and trained to form portion of the permanent twenty-five thousand, a force which would be always ready to reinforce India in case of emergency. As this involved an increased cost of a million and a half, Mr Brodrick said he hoped India would contribute a portion. r i: Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman deprecated the suggestion of a contribution from India which he regarded as ungenerous. Major E. Beckett and other members hoped a corresponding reduction in the Home establishment would be arranged at a later stage of the session with a view to reducing the cost.

Mr B rod rick announced that four new quick-firing batteries would be delivered in August.