The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1913. THE FORCES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 61, 17 July 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1913. THE FORCES.

General Godley's report on the Forces for the period from June, 19.12, to (•June, 1913, j us t presented to the IHouse, states that very., great interest has been taken during the year by all classes of the community in

their citizen Army, and valuable

sistance has been given to the military authorities in many ways in regard to the establishment of the scheme; also much substantial help' in the direction of prizes for efficiency! and contributions towards the comforts' /and recreation of both Territorials and' Senior Cadets. Many citizens have become honorary members of the Territorial Force, and an institution has J been formed called the Honorary' (Territorials, which, General Godley [considers, is most valuable as a means' l of ensuring the closest possible touch! between the citizens and their army.! The report goes on to state that 18,- 1 687 officers and men have now been ( trained at an annual camp (17,831 < of (hem for two years), and have per-, t formed the number of parades and s drills required throughout the vear

Csome by means of extra time i camp); that these officers and met have now all the rudimentary know h'dgc of held training; that 15,852 o (hem have fired at least one conrs< ol musketry (some have done more)

and that, in case of emergency, it would be possible to augment tin units from ex-Volunteers and ex-Soutl African (Vmtingeniers by about 2o0( specially selected officers and men who have all had some experience in soldiering, and thus place about 21,000 men in the field. Their efficiency to

meet a possible enemy must be measured by the amount <>\ training they have received. The most lias been iua.de hi the time. The organisation in which they would take the field is, i lie General thinks, complete and satisfactory, and eight batteries of up-to-date modern artillery would be available. Regarding posting to the' Territorial Army, the commandant I states that in order to maintain the; stability and training efficiency of the force in future years, it is necessary. that a constant number of recruits should he admitted to the Territorial | force every year The annual quota! to he admitted to the Territorial Forcej is. roughly, one-seventh of the 30,000: which the law allows An allowance lias been made for wastage, but experience alone will show what number is necessary in this respect The! strength of the forces on April 30, 1913, was:—(l) Territorial Force,] 23,919: (2) Senior Cadets, 24,770; (3) j rifle clubs—(a) Active members, 4003; j (b) liable for universal training, 1370; total, 54,062 The total number of registrations up to April 30, 1913,! amounted to 69,700, and thes trength of the forces on the same date, less j the active members of rifle clubs, was $0,059.