GOOD NEWS FOR THE MILITIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 28 September 1907, Page 2

GOOD NEWS FOR THE MILITIA

NOT TO BE CALLED OTJT. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Premier in the House last night made a statement with» reference to an interview with Colonel Robin which appeared, in Wediesday's Evening Post by which it oppcared it had been decided to tike steps to call out the militia for active training. The Premier stated misapprehension had tafcen place. He explained that on September 12, rt a meeting of the Council of Defence, a recommendation was made that the necessary action be taken to carry out the provisions of the De'fencc Act Amendment Act, 1900, clauses 4 to 11 inclusive. He explained that the question of preparing the militia rolls bad not yet come before him, or the Act-ing-Minister for Defence. He added tnat under the clauses in the Act of 1000 referred to, there was no power whatever to call out the militia. The Government had no intention of doing anything of the kind, and it had not even been suggested either bv the Defence Council or the Government. What was intended under Colonel Robin's origmal memorandum was an entirely different thing. The Defence Council ought to know the nominal strength of those capable of taking part or servin<» in he militia, at least at every seaport IJnless this knowledge was in possession of. the CouKcil.'it was not doing its -.liif-y The Government was not M hoZ Of 1 ,7 ,SO, :' ption ' or of the militia be,, g railed out, and the Defence Council hvl not suggested it.