Our Defence Forces

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 141, 23 September 1910, Page 5

Our Defence Forces

LORD KITCHENER'S PROPOSALS. THE NEW BILL EXPLAINED AND DISCUSSED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House of Representatives today, the whole of the time was devoted to the consideration of the Defence Amendment Rill. In moving it-i second reading, the Premier said the object of the Bill generally was to give effect to Lord Kitchener's proposals by amending the principal Act. Tlie Commandant of the Forces would be substituted for the Defence Council.

THE COMMANDANT. The Commandant would be responsible for the training of the forces and care of all stores and property belonging to the Defence Department. Officers would be appointed on a system of selection. Stipendiary magistrates and justices of the peace, in various districts, wduld be entrusted with the registration required by the. system. Exemptions would be made of- those physically unfit and officers of junior cadets, those who were the main support of those depending upon them, those convicted of crime or of notoriously bad character. The reserve would be composed of officers and men over 25, who had left the Territorials, with certain exceptions.

EXTENSION OF AGE LIMIT. The teirm of service in the Reserves would be five years. The Bill extended the age of compulsory service from 20 to 25 years, in accordance with Lord Kitchener's recommendations. Under the Bill the number of men in the various ages will be increased. The general effect of the Bill was to increase the men liable to serve from 30,000 under the present Act to 75,096. Prom that number one-third might be deducted as ex<empt. In 1916, with officers, the force would amount to 40,375. Of men between the ages of 18 and 19 years not selected for the Territorials there would be 30,000 in 1016. Rifle club men, who now numbered 3414, would be greatly increased. Senior cadets, numbering 4109, would be increased to 35,000.

BOY SCOUTS. He proposed introducing an amendment to permit Boy Scouts wearing uniform, and continuing to be known as Scouts, but coming under the training of senior cadets, while having the option of continuing Scout training. 'Unless this was done, Scouts would be liable to evade the training required under the education system. Experience had shown that it was not desirable to overtax the cadet with physical exercise, and his training would be preparatory to entering the Territorial. Sixty-four hours' training would be equivalent to sixteen days. DISCIPLINARY. Discipline would be extended to bring officers under the military law. Provisions were made for a judge advocategeneral being appointed to preside over court-martials. This officer would be a man of high legal training and military experience. The scheme would involve an. outlay of £300,000 the first year, £350,000 the second year, and £ 400,000 for the following years, during the period of transition. The affairs of each unit would be gone into with a view of dealing' with their liabilities. He believed the best course would be for the Dominion to take over the assets of the various volunteer corps. He had proposed this last session, but the House did not agree to his suggestions.

READY IN 1-913. He considered the whole scheme would be well under way in 1913, and should be completely established. He deprecated the idea of universal military training, which would inevitably cause a reaction, resulting in breakdown. Under the Bill no man was expected to go into camp without receiving the equivalent of a day's wage. Expenditure in connection with salaries of officers and men would amount to £99,000; camp expenses would total up to £167,000 per annum. A sum of £30,000 yearly would be required for the uniforms for the Territorial forces, which would be obtained in the Dominion. He estimated that about 4000 men would be required for the Territorials yearly; 10,000 would be available, and, estimating exemptions at 50 per cent., that would leave 5000 men (1000 more than required). Opportunities would be given for men not selected for the Territorials to train.

THE SELECTION SYSTEM. Lord Kitchener impressed upon him the necessity of adhering to the selection system, so aa to obtain the best personnel. This was infinitely better luan the ballot system. The House rose at 5.30 p.m.

STRENGTH OP THE FORCES. In the House in the evening, Sir Joseph Ward, resuming his speech on the Defence Bill, said that in 1912 the Territorials in training would amount to 25,000, and the Senior Cadets to 35,000. In 1916 the Territorials and those who passed through the reserve would amount to 40,375. From the general. training section there would be taken 5000 a year, amount to 30,000 in 1916. This would make a total drawn from the three sections mentioned of 105,375. Referring to officers' salaries, it was not possible for the Dominion to pay those recommended by Lord Kitchener for senior olficera.

•MR. ALLEN SUPPORTS THE BILL. • Mr. Allen congratulated the Prime Minister on tho introduction of the Bill. He was glad to see that defendwas not made a party question. He hoped the scheme proposed by the Bill would result in a defence force which would be a credit to the Dominion. He was entirely in accord with the Bill. He would only offer a few criticisms on matters of detail. He hoped the Commandant would be in direct touch with the Minister for Defence. This would result in the Dominion getting value for the money spent on defences, which hitherto had not been the case. He was gliid the ballot system, which was the worst form of conscription, had been abolished. He hoped the junior cadets would not be made into a mimic army. All Lord Kitchener desired these boys to have was physical drill and a little training in shooting. The training of cadets right through to Territorials should be continuous and co-ordinate. He suggested raising the force to 30,000 trained men, which, with recruits and reserves, would give an efficient defence force. He did not approve of having a volunteer system alongside the compulsory system, and experience proved that this had been fatal to success. He would be extremely glad to be able to assist Sir Joseph Ward in putting the Bill through, and,! if necessary, on the publio platform. .

MR. TAYLORS OPPOSITION. Mr. Taylor (Christchurch) said he

would vote against the raising of linbil* ity to serve in the Territorials to twenty-five. The provision in last yenr'ft Act was sufficient. In this connection lie objected strongly to the growth of the military spirit, which was arrogant and intolerant. He hoped the appeal court would be so constituted as to make" the right of appeal a real and not an imaginary -one. He forecasted a chango in public thought in the next few years, which would bo in favor of riflemen being made a "staplcd-frncc" force and stripping the Territorials of all their military paraphernalia.

MR. FISHER'S VIEWS. Mr. Fisher said that unless the polhy hitherto followed by the Minister for Defence in ngard to the Comnn-ndant of the Forces was mo, ified, Colonel liod' ley would be as value! ss to the Dominion as his predecessors had been. Many of the regulations proposed ought to luve been included in the Bill so as to cw:s« under the control of the Houo. He hoped the most capable and enthusiastic young' men would be chosen for training at college as staff officers.

MR. HOGG NOT AFRAID. Mr. Hogg said ho was not afraid to express his disfavor of the Bill. People were called upon to make a sacrifice in the name of defence which was not warranted by circumstances. He condemned militarism as the work of scaremongers, and would vote against the Bill if he was the only man to do so.