THE TERRITORIALS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8352, 12 February 1913, Page 9

THE TERRITORIALS

STATEMENT IN HOUSE OF LORDS. ■By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright LON DON, February 10. In the House of Lords, Lord Middleton drew attention to tho decline in the number of Territorials. Lord lierscbcU replied that the Government had requested the Committee on Defence to reconsider the matter or tho safety of the country in tho event •of an expeditionary force going abroad, and in view of now military factors since Mr Asquith’s statement on July jjpth, 1909. The Government was opposed to compulsory service, but it might bo desirable to go in for compulsory physical training in connection with continuation schools. It might be that the use of arms and simple military formations would add to tho selfrespect of boys and lay the foundations on which a great scheme of national defence would bo based if unforeseen dangers menaced the country. TERRITORIALS UNFIT FOR WAR. (Received February 11. 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 11. In the House of Lords Lord Herschel mid that in addition to 253,000 territorials, tho national reserve numbered 190,000. Tho Government was convinced that proper provision had been made against particular dangers and was able to guarantee that the country would .be safeguarded. Lord Roberts, as a soldier, said it was nonsense to say that tho territorials were fit for war. Lord Methuen said that if both parties appealed to the country for compulsory training he believed tbo system Would be accepted. Lord Haldane said that the Government had concentrated on naval defence owing to tho impossibility to organise the military in any way to refiovo the navy. If a compulsory army was raised, they would bo unable to maintain the overseas’ forces on _ a voluntary basis. A proclamation of inefficiency produced a bad impression abroad. Lord Lansdowno declared that what was needed was an unlimited supply of half-manufactured soldiers which could he obtained by compulsory school'Training.