The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, May 2, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 986, 2 May 1911, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, May 2, 1911. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The enrolment of youths under the new compulsory military service regulations is proceeding apace, and the object in view—the establishment ot an army of thirty thousand men within live years—appears certain of accomplishment. This Territorial Army will provide the first line of defence after the Imperial Navy, but must be able to take the field at once on the outbreak of war ; the British Territorials, on the other hand, would not be called out until the Regular Army and proved Special Reserve had been insufficient. The arming and equipment of the Force will be on the most modern lines, and the men will be uniformed by the State, and will be paid and rationed during the annual camp. The General Staff has issued a circular which gives a very useful outline of the proposed working of the reorganised military system. Of immediate importance are the conditions governing enrolment, which are summarised m the following clause ; “ Every youth who had attained the age of fourteen on i st March last, but had not attained the age of twenty-one on that, date, is now being called upon by law to register. Registration forms may be obtained at any post office, defence office or police station, and must be filled in and sent to the area-sergeant-major at his advertised head-quarters before 7 p.m. on 2nd June, when registration ceases. The work of the Defence authorities will be made much easier if all will register as soon as possible.” After June 2nd the work of compulsory registration will proceed, and any youth who is to be exempted from service must receive a formal order of exemption. The Defence Act does not impose a merciless method of conscription on an unprepared public, but provides for the gradual military training of every male bewteen the age of 12 and 25, after

which he will serve in the Reserve up to the age ot 30. From 12 to to 14 the boy will be a Junior Cadet, and will perform a certain amount ot elementary military training, chiefly physical, under the direction of the Education Department. On reaching the age ui 14, ur on leaving a pmna.y school, the' buy will be uausierred to the Senior Cadets, and will then become a member of the Military Forces, though not liable to be called out to fight. At 18 he will be drafted into the Territorial Force, and will then be liable to be called out at any time for service within the Dominion. Having reached the age of 25 he will be transferred to the Reserve, in which he will remain till he is 30, when he will be discharged. The Reservist will be liable to be called back to his reserve in case of war or other national emergency. Members of rifle clubs will be liable up to the age of 55 to be called up as part of a secondary reserve to fill the ranks ot the Territorial Force after its own reserve has been used up. With the exception of one week a year spent by the Territorial soldier in camp, the training of the cadet and soldier will be carried out within reach of his home —hence the designation “territorial,” The arranging of drills and parades will be carried out so as to interfere as little as possible with the interests of master and man in their commercial relation. It is pointed out that the schedule of training that has been drawn up is “the irreducible minimum that must be performed if the Force is to be efficient. It is little enough, but with their boyhood’s training, their favourable surroundings, and their natural aptitude for the work, there is every reason to believe that the men of this country will make really good and efficient soldiers.” The circular is tactfully worded and should go far to create a favourable impression of the Government’s intentions, which are created by the urgent necessity of placing this country on a sound basis in the matter of defence.

The “ One Man One Vote Bill,” that is to follow the passage of the Parliament Bill, is perhaps the most momentous measure that been brought before the House of Commons. Its purpose is to give the voting privilege to every adult in the United Kingdom, a constitutional departure which is fraught with tremendous issues. What the actual results will be in a country so densely populated, it is difficult to foresee. However, it may be expected that, it the Bill becomes law, such a radical majority will be returned that within a generation the House of I,ords question will be settled for all time. Of course there will be a storm of Unionist protest, and the final passage of the measure may be delayed for several sessions. But its principle, which has had much to do in establishing the strength of the self-governing colonies, must be recognised by all politicians whose sense of fairness is not jeopardised by ulterior interests, and to the Liberal leaders we look for a staunch advocacy of its justice. With universal suffrage in operation the Mother Country will have taken a long step towards the legislative efficiency acquired by the Dominions under her guardianship, and the remainder of the task will be rendered comparatively easy.