DOMINION’S DEFENCES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8891, 10 August 1907, Page 2

DOMINION’S DEFENCES.

The New Zealand Defence Council , has submitted its first report to Parliament. The policy of the Council is explained thus Taking all the circumstances into consideration it , was decided that the policy of defence should for the present con. tiuno purely voluntary; that regulatious he made and amended to further encourage enlistment and ■ efficiency; that provision he made for forming reserves, for more decentralisation, increasing the powers and initiative of district commanders, and for the completion of staffs., etc., and generally that endeavour bo made to popularise the force in the eyes of the public; that the force be for service in defence of the colony, oversea contingents required at any time being raised and equipped as a special force; that coast defence be considered, and • when decided gone on with and. maintained in relation to the naval policy existing between the Home Country and our colony. Should the Volunteer Force uot he main- i; tained or brought up to an efficient state volunteering lias had its last chance. If the general public are in earnest as defence they must themselves assist and ensure that sufficient enlistment is made, and that once men are enlisted they attend regularly. The alternative Is a system of universal or compulsory training, whereby the burden of sendee iu the defence forces will be more evenly distributed. The present military districts will be maintained, and tlie defence forces iu each district are now classified into (a) coast defence force, a fixed defence (composed of the Permanent Volunteer divisions and Submarine Artillerv diviisons and Submar ice Mining Volunteers directly linked to them); (b) a mobile field force composed of the various other branches of the actively serving volunteers; (c) reserves to the above forces composed of reserves. Defence Cadets and Rifle Clubs will all have specified duties assigned to them. The' mobilisation regular tip,ns will contain all information as to how these various bodies will act and assemble in case of need or for manoeuvres. This organisation will assist the task of instruction and ensure the disposition of the forces in emergency, as provided for in the . general defence schemes _ for the colony. An amount is being asked for separately for an equipment to enable a sufficient force at short notice to bo rapidly 'mobilised to take the field in each district, with i general instructional staff to move regularly round the districts for the higher training, arranging for continuous courses where possible, and on evenings and half holidays for those who cannot give continuous attendance, win better the present state of affairs and enable a progressive policy of military educatipn to be carried out. To this end the instructional staff in each district has already been brought together for a short correcting course. Not before it was needed, however, the result showing the greatest care must be taken in the selection of instruct tors, and even then both officers and non-commissioned officer instructors; require to be periodically tested’ and examined. Arrangements are beingmade for ft seven days’ continuous course of instruction iu each district, at a suitable time and place, should sufficient officers be found to attend, embracing drill, musketry, tactics, and administration. Facilities'also will be given to such officers who cannot attend during a continuous course. By.this means thehigher training of the officers will receive ■ attention, and during the summer a series of tactical' exercise® and staff rides will *be arranged i\v districts on schemes aiid detail fur; nished by head iuarters. A section for intelligence has been formed.

Irlobjllsatl&n is receiving attention, and to enable all concerned to become acquainted •with their duties a set of regulations and instructions for mobilisation suited to local requirements is now weU forward. The war regulations bear a close relation to the defence sobers. Senior officers are being taken 'mow into confidence in this 'respect and given opportunities to become more acquainted with their duties m iwar, it being obvious that if these masters are kept locked up in one place the officers concerned. not having the chance to study thorn, enuot be expected to carry out their duties ’ should the emergency aud* . dealy arise, ,