THE TERRITORIALS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 232, 29 March 1912, Page 2

THE TERRITORIALS

THE MEDICAL REPORT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, - Thursday. In a memorandum just issued Colonel Robin, Adjt.-General, states that judging by the results of the medical examination of recruits last year it is expected that about five per cent, will be found totally unfit. About sixty per cent, will be posted to the Territorial force and thirty-five per cent, to rifle clubs. Regarding the new rifle clubs scheme, Colonel Robin states that making use of rifle clubs is to avoid the multiplication of divisions of the force and to place the defence forces of New Zealand in two categories in their relation to training and the defence of the Dominion, the first line to be the Territorial forces and Territorial reserve, and the second line rifle clubs and training sections affiliated to rifle clubs. It must be borne in mind that very shortly all young men posted to form rifle clubs will have undergone drill and training between the ages of fourteen and eighteen in senior cadets drill, and rifle clubs will thus be of a reserve character, the only end in view being that all will be drilled and practised in musketry to a state of individual efficiency, to be drafted into the active ranks of the force to fill vacancies or augment them should necessity arise. Rifle clubs will be given a place and function in the defence scheme, and their movements in time of necessity are provided for in the mobilisation instruction of the Dominion. Clubs already existing will continue and be governed by the rules and regulations already in existence. Where no clubs exist the men available will be posted and given rifle club designation. Only those young men who by the 31st of May next have reached the age of 18, and are not required for Territorial forces, will be posted to rifle clubs in this and each succeeding year. The system is in no way retrospective. The regulations governing rifle clubs are published.