For Home Defence.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 15, 4 September 1914, Page 7

For Home Defence.

A NATIONAL RESERVE.

A PUBLIC MEETING FORMS A STRATFORD CORPS.

EVERYBODY ENTHUSIASTIC.

A BROOMSTICK BATTLE.

There was a large and representative gathering of citizens at the Borough Council Chambers last night, the Mayor having called a meeting to consider means of furthering the movement to form a National .Reserve in Stratford. The Mayor presided over the meeting.

The Mayor said the meeting nad been called in order to put the National lieserve movement on a good looting, it was desired to have both mounted and infantry men—both were equally necessary. The National .Reserve was designed hrst of all for home defence. The corps formed would choose its own oflicers. A start had been made with the formation of a foot corps, but the movement to form a mounted corps had been suspended until some assurance was received regarding the supply of rifles. They recognised that it was of little use to go on until rifles were secured. Me had written to the Minister for Defence on the matter and had asked if the rifles of the Senior Cadets could not be used. It was desirable for the meeting to pass a resolution deciding to form a corps, provided the Government made , provision for an adequate supply of rifles for practice purposes. Mounted and infantry men should be enrolled and amalgamated with the liifie Club. As far as rifle practice was concerned he thought that in the circumstances the Government should supply the ammunition free. A resolution such as he had outlined should be passed in order to impress on the Government that Stratford citizens were prepared to take all possible steps for home defence. Although the force was primarily raised for home defence, it was possible that members might be asked to join any expeditionary force sent away in the future. Of course, it was only his personal opinion as to that. But previously preference had been given to men trained in the Territorials and in the future they might give preference to men trained in the National Reserve. The Mayor then read the following instructions to area officers, forwarded to him in reply to his letter to the Minister for Defence: "1. Offers from the Legion of Frontiersmen, citizens and other bodies to train for home defence should be dealt with as follows:—2. Applicants should be informed that they should either (a) join an existing Rifle Club individually, (b) join an existing Rifle Club collectively as a distinct sub-unit, i.e. company, platoon or sections, (c) form a new Rifle Club under the existing regulations. 3. The method of joining existing Rifle Clubs is to be given preference, as there is only a limited number of rifles in the Dominion, and issues to Rifle Clubs must be curtailed, as it is not considered that the situation is so critical as to necessitate such a drastic measure as disarming the Senior Cadets. 4. In cases where sufficient rifles are not available for training all the members of the Rifle Clubs, it is suggested that arrangements should be made for utilising those in charge of Territorial and Senior Cadet units for the purpose, whilst in no way taking the rifles out of the charge of the units concerned. 5. If certain Rifle Clubs or sub-units of Rifle Clubs wish to form mounted units there is no objection to their training as such, provided that all extra expenses involved is borne by the members concerned. 6. Rifle Clubs will select their own officers and N.C.O's. for your recommendation to Defence Department headquarters." He also read a letter from Mr J. H. Ford, suggesting the formation of a Red Cross section. The Mayor said he approved the suggestion, which should be carried into effect. On the general question, he thought that if they joined the Rifle Club the difficulties pre-

viously confronting them would disappear. RIFLES FANTED. Dr. Paget said he had formed one of a deputation which waited on the Rifle Club committee for the purpose 01 discussing the best way of organising the .National .Reserve in conjunction

with tlie Jttiiie Club. It seemed necessary first of all to iiiid out liow many would join aud then to get the necessary riiles from the Government. A strong resolution passed by that meeting would strengthen the handb of the committee in their effort to procure riiles. An organisation formed without an adequate supply of lilies would fail to succeed, it was the duty of all to do what they could for the good of the nation. Stratford peopie had done their duty in subscribing funds and arranging for the expenditure thereof, but it behoved those unable to proceed to the front to do something further. It was desiraole to form a force which could only be called upon for duty in the country, but from which recruits might be taken during tliß next year or two to make up the wastage of war in the force which was now beiJig sent to the front. That such supplementary contingents would be necessary nobody could doubt. Everybody was confident that Great Britain would win in tbe end, but the fact remained that she was pitted against a strong i.ation and a nation well organised in military matters. ' Therefore it behoved unit of the Empire to do its share in the matter. It was certain that tbere would be extreme wastage in the war, and the men sent to fight beside those now being sent should be trained to some extent. To send myii' without training would be useles; He hoped a strong National Reserve would bo formed in Stratford—both loot and mounted. The present was a great opportunity to develop our national character on right lines—each man to do what he could. Some of them might never become great shots, but they could discharge their duty by doing all they were able. The Government should be only too willing to help those who were willing to do everything in their power for the Empire—not with money (money did n<;t win battles), but with -Mirsxiui service. There were many men m Stratford who

could readily be made ut for lighting by a little training. It a man was drilled on loot lie readily dropped into mounted drill. The turning point of success or failure in the movement was: Could they get sulirjient rifles ? He thought it was a mistake to drill with broomsticks. The suggestion was made in good faith, but it was almost childish. The Rifle «. Mb had promised to supply instructors for musketry and Mr McMillan had offered to organise the drill work. The force would not be called upon to do much work. A ad what was it, anyhow, to give up a few hours a week to what was really a good sport ? Personally he was not a good rifle shot, but he hoped to become one. The good fellowship engendered by them marching, drilling and shooting together would be good for all of them. In the ordinary course of life they all had different spheres of activity, and, only naturally, certain barriers sprang up between different classes of citizens ; but in a time of war there should be something to break down those barriers. (Hear, hear). And what would do that better than drilling together ? The visits to the rifle butts need only be once a week. He saw no reason why the town should not raise two or three hundred men. He could see present representatives of all classes of the community, and he was sure there would be no difficulty in getting a aorps together. Toko had undertaken to raise men, probably mounted. Mr Charles Bayly, who had already displayed much patriotism, had promised to join. He would move: "That this meeting pledges itself to recruit for a National Reserve corps—foot and mounted—under the auspices of the Stratford Rifle Club, provided the Government make provision for an adequate supply of rifles; and that a copv of this resolution be forwarded to the j Minister for Defence." If the neces-|

sary nnes were procurable he was sure Stratford would rise to the occasion, i'hey would, he was sure, have welltrained men ready for any fresh contingent, and ah members would be im-

proved physically by the training, i, Applause). Mr (J. D. Soio said he intended to join. He pointed out that members of itiiie Clubs received concessions from the Government in respect of ammunition. EVERYBODY CAW SkiGGT. Mr Uainpbeil Jackson said he did not mink that a large number of riiies were necessary. iiiven if three liuudred men were marched to the ouits there were only eight targets, which would only aiiow twenty men 10 mo at one time. Any man who could see couid bo taught to shoot. Except for purposes of drill he did not see why tlie lack of riiies should keep them oack. He thought shooting was more to the point than drill. It was six years since he had fired his hist shot. Then he was frightened of war, but now that he could shoot he had no fear, feeling that he had as good a chance as the rifleman on the other side of hitting ins mark. (Laughter.) In the Soudan war the dervishes never got within five hundred yards of the Australians, though the Tommies had to deal with the dervishes on the ends of their bayonets. That indicated the utility of good shooting. Mr M. S. Frere said a good number of riiies were necessary, in order that lire control might be taught.

THOSE BROOMSTICKS. Captain W. J. Reeve said he was in accord with the resolution, out he would go further. He thought Dr. Paget had stressed too much the matter of drilling with broomsticks if they were to wait until they got rifles beiore learning company and battalion drill it might be twelve months before the corps got going. He held in his hand the enrolment forms of eighteen patriotic citizens who were prepared to drill with broomsticks in Broadway j and if people were properly patriotic they would consent to drill with broomsticks. It was necessary that the corps should be drilled. Because he (the speaker) had not been able to supply Dr. Paget with the number of drills required, he (Dr. Paget) had said he would not join the National Reserve and would advise his friends not to join. Could that be called patriotism? He thought not. Personally he was too old to take an active part in the movement, but he was as patriotic as anybody. (Hear, hear.) The Government might not be able to supply rifles for six months, and by that time the war might be over. Mr Reeve concluded by stating that he had argued with Dr. Paget for twenty minutes to get him to support the movement, but ho objected to drilling with a broomstick.

Mr A. J. Hill said there were about two hundred Senior Cadets in Stratford, who were drilled on Monday night. Could they not hand in their rifles then, for the use of the Reserve on the Thursday afternoon? The Mayor said the corps should be drilled, if even with broomsticks; but he thought that to get a really effective corps it would be necessary to drill with the arms which were to be used. As to "disarming the Senior Cadets" the position was one which might not arise again, for a hundred years, and he thought it ■ was more desirable that the men of I the Reserve should have rifles than j that the Senior Cadets should have 'thorn. Wherever they came from, the Reserve should have a reasonable number of rifles. There need not be a rifles for every man, but there should bo one for every second man. He did not think a man less patriotic because he wanted a rifle, and if they could get men to drill with broomsticks, well and good. Major

The following was issued as an "extra" last evening:— THE SIEGE OF PARIS. ENEMY 60 MILES AWAY. ALLIES' IMPORTANT MOVE RUSSIANS AT LEMBERG. GERMANS NEAR ANTWERP. The High Commissioner reports under date September 2, (9.10 p.m.) Reliable. —The enemy's right wing is sixty miles from Paris. The Allies lines are still unbroken. Paris is arranging for a siege. There is an absence of official news from the front. An important movement by the Allies is expected. Russia continues' her progress in Galieia, and has inflicted enormous losses on the Austrian forces, and the occupation of Lemberg is expected.

There lias been increased activity near Antwerp and further bomb-throwing by the Germans.

HEAVY AUSTRIAN LOSSES.

JV.-i 'on, 11.20 p.m. Sept. 2

Official:—The Russian army completely routed four Austrian corps near JJtfniberg, with enormous losses, and captured one hundred and fifty guns.

FIGHTING IS CONTINUOUS.

ALONG THE WHOLE LINE.

BRITISH CAVALRY DEEDS.

THE FRENCH IN LORRAINE RUSSIANS IN KONIGSBERG London, Sept, 3 (12.50 a.m.) Official: —Continuous fighting has been in progress along the whole liny of battle.

The British cavalry engaged with distinction the cavalry of the enemy and pushed them back, capturing ten guns. The French army continued on the offensive, and gained ground in the Lorraine region. The Russian army is investing Konigsberg.

JOTTINGS.

It is a curious thing (remarks the Now Zealand Observer) that the First Sea Lord of the Admiralty, the man responsible to the Minister for the efficiency of the whole fleet, is of German blood. But it has been said of Prince Louis of Battenberg that ho was born a Serene Highness but has lived it down. He is the son of Prince Alexander of Hesse, and was horn in Austria, but became a naturalised Englishman in his boyhood. He saw service in Egypt, has held many important commands afloat and ashore, and, in the words of an English writer, "holds the confidence and admiration of the entire service." For some years he has been reputed one of the most brilliant strategists in the navy. Prince Louis married a grand-daughter ot Queen Victoria, and his eldest son is Prince George of Battenberg, who was a sub-lieutenant on the New Zealand during her Empire cruise. It is no less curious that the much-beloved Queen Mary of Britain is German, and that her own brother is Governor-General of the great British Dominion Canada.

I Bellringer had recently informed him that owing to the poor response he 'bad hr.::ded over the New Plymouth j Reserve to another quarter. Mr Sole: They joined the llifle j Club. | The Mayor said he believed the poor response was caused by the sugj gestion that the men should drill ' with stares. He thought they should j make the Government do its duty in the matter. Captain Reeve thought there would be a better chance of getting rifles if the corps was formed and some drilling done. Dr. Paget said that meeting was no place for a man to come and say 1 he was more patriotic than another. As to drilling with a broomstick, he refused to do it because he believed it to bo useless. But if rifles were not to be got and there was no chance of getting them he was prepared to drill with a broomstick. But they should have rifles. When lie saw the scheme outlined by Captain Reeve he knew it would not succeed, but he did nothing to injure it. His resolution only called on the Government to make reasonable provision for supplying rifles—there was no demand for them to be supplied right away. That was no time for a personal attack.

Captain Reeve said that in his remarks he had made no personal attack.

Dr. Paget said he had joined the Rifle Club and he would engage in shooting and drill as soon as possible. RIFLES AVAILABLE. Lieut. Wilson (2nd M.R.) said the rifles issued to Territorials and Senior Cadets were signed for by the men holding them. The officer commanding the Senior Cadets said he had no objection to the Reserve having a loan of the rifles so long as somebody was made responsible for their return. The Senior Cadet rifles were not the same as those used in actual warfare, but they would answer excellently for drilling purposes.

The motion was carried unanimous-

On the motion of Mr Lander it was decided to proceed with recruiting at once. He favored forming a corps and then joining the Rifle Club in a body. AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The following executive committee was set up to manage the affairs of the corps:—The Mayor, Dr. Paget, Captains Reeve, McMillan and Howarth (Cardiff), Messrs. F. E. Dobson, H. E. Good, Lander and C. Bayly. Mr R. McK. Morison said that if no questions were asked regarding age he would serve in the corps. If questions were asked, he -was prepared to supply a horse for a member of the corps. (Applause.)

might very well join the Rifle Club, might very well join the Rifles Club, as members of the latter had generously offered the use of their rifles, which, to an extent, were the personal property of members. This concluded the business of the evening. THE ENROLLED MEN. Following is a list of enrolments, consisting of those who enrolled last night and were previously enrolled with Captain Reeve:—F. W. Mullen, L. J. S. Bush, G. Burgess, T. Mercer, E. A. Drake, S. H. Wickstead, H. Williams, R. G. Christophers, A. 11. Herbert, O. J. Howarth, R, Beckett, A. E. Alger, H. G. Reeves, H. E. Lawrence, D. Beaumont, T. W. Ireland, E. E. Hancock, C. D. Sole, J. McMillan, N. Templer, R. McK. Morison, J. W. Boon, E, Tichbon, H. Good, J. Fredric, F. Dobson, Stewart, Elford, F. N. Fussell, Lander, F. Dixon, C. Bayly, A. Hill, C Massey, M. S. Frere, D. J. Malone, T. L. Paget, R. Mounsey.