DEFENCE ACT AMENDMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 14 November 1907, Page 3

DEFENCE ACT AMENDMENT.

THE VOLUNTEERS. The Hon. R. AlcNab, in moving the second reading of the Defence Act Amendment Bill on Tuesday night, explained that clause 4 provided for the selection of captains of corps instead of election by the men. This was in accordance with the custom prevailing in other portions of the Empire. Clause 5 provided for placing men on the reserve at the expiration of three years instead of e tive years. Other amendments in the were machinery amendments. Mr. James Allen expressed disappointn:cnt with the Bill, lie agreed with the clause providing for the selection of captaints; but he hoped the Minister would consent to some other mode of dealing with Jim's than that proposed in the Bill. 110 added that he was pleased to see the proposal to -set up a reserve force. Mr. Malcolm expressed disapproval of the proposal to dispense with popular election of captains. Mr. llogan said- he would like to see popular election of captains continued. This colony, he said had had a good lesson on the results of nomination of officers by the fiovernment during the South African campaign. Mr. Fisher contended that if they abolished popular election of captains tl ey would take away the chance of rising to the highest rank, and the result would be that the men would leave the corps. Mr. Symcs expressed the wish that the Minister should not only withdraw clause 4, but the whole of the Bill. The second reading w»to carried by 46 votes to 20. The House then went into committee on the Bill. Clause 4, which provides for the selection of captains, was rejected on the voices. The Bill was reported, read a third time, and passed. Tlie House adjourned at 2 a.m.