Our Citizen Soldiers.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 1, Issue 94, 20 May 1913, Page 4

Our Citizen Soldiers.

I TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —As a good deal of misunderstand ;g is prtvaier.t throughout the Dominion with regard to the obliiEticn imposed uton the Citizen Soldiers by the terms of the Defence Act, J have had ths following statement prepared and would be vtry glad if you would be hind enough to ins rt it, and draw atie:.tion to it in Ycur p3per. You will, I am Eiue, agree with n:e that it is advisable that the lacts as regards th'.s2 matters should te plactd dtiinitfcly befoie the public—l am, etc., H. D. IJELL, F L r Acting-Minister of Defence. Que ticn: Doss provision exist for the Territorial Force to be carrkd or ordered to go tut cf New Zealand, urnkr the Defence Act and its ameidnunts? Answer: Mo. Section 22 cf the D'fenci Art, 1909, says:—"Any part of the ierritorial Force shall be liable t< serve in eny part of New Zealand, but no part cf the Territorial Foica shall be carried or ordered t) g.i cut cf New Zealand. Quislion: Can tha New Zealand lerritorial Foice, or part thereof, be compelled to go lo the assistance of Gr t at Britain or any of the oversea dominions or possessions in the event cf an outbreak of war, under the Defence Act? Answer: No. Such service mast te puiely voluntary as in the case tf N.w Zealand Contingents sent to Africa. Question: Dce3 provision exist in thi Defence Aa for calling out the Ter;itoiial Force fjr service in New Zealand in tuns of w?.r? Answer: Yes. The Governor h s power undiir Sections 27 (1), 23 (1) (quoted hereunder) cf the Defence Act, 1509, and Lnder the Defence Amendment Act. 1912, Sections 16 rd 71 (quot:d hereunder) to call out for military training and Eervice all eligible males beLween the ages of 17 and 55, who have resided in r-ew Z aland for a period of six months. DEFENCE ACT, 1909. bection 27 (1).—All the male inhabitants of New Zealand between the ages of 17 and 55, not herein.,who have resided in New Zealand for a peiiod of six months are liable to he trained End serve in the militia. Section 28 (l).-In time of war it shall be lawful fcr the Governor (the cccssion being first communicated to Parliament, if Parliament is then silting, cr notified by proclamation if Pailiament is not then sitting) by proclamation to cill upon persons liable to in the milicia to enrol in the militia, and thereupon such persons shall, within the time and in the manr.er prescribed, tnrol in the miliia for the prescribed p:ri::d.