NATIONAL RESERVE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 191, 2 January 1913, Page 6

NATIONAL RESERVE.

VOLUNTARY SERVICE. By Telegraph—Press Association. « Christchurch; Tuesday. A general desire having been expressed throughout the Dominion, particularly pn the part of ex-volunteers, for the formation of a National Reserve, Lieut.Colonel the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, Act-ing-Minister of Defence, announces that the formation of such a reserve has been approved by the Government. The reserve will consist of all men who are not members of the territorial forces, the territorial forces reserve, or on the active list of a rifle club. There will be no limit in regard to age. and no condi-

tions except those already stated in respect of membership. It will be partly a, voluntary organisation, and will i receive no financial assistance from the } Government except official recognition. Its organisation will be by military districts, and senior retired officers will be asked to undertake charge, entirely independent of the military authorities. The object of the National Reserve in the British Isles is to form a register of those who have served in any of the military or naval forces of the Crown, and being under no obligation for further service are willing to come up for service if called on in the event of a national emergency-. Two classes of duties (ire set forth, in one class on national emergency members must join a combatant unit for service in the iiekl, to carry 1 ' out combat duty in' gnriisons -or other ( fixed positions, or perform administrative work. In the second class members haYing shown their willingness to pome up for service once more if called upon, can do much in times of peace to bring home to the youth of -the nation the fact that every nian owes a duty to bis'country, the duty of personar'scryice. and members' will be expected to assist in the organisation of recognised: cadet units, a national service of much importance.. The national, reserve is recognised in the King's regulations as forming part of the military organisation of the country, and the Army Counicil, in a circular it has issued.* trusts ■that through it a real bond of union will be created between those still serving and those who have served. The .military authorities in command at Home have been directed to do all in their power to develop and encourage the feeling of comradeship. As it is not proposed that members of the national re-. ;: serve shall wear uniform in their capi acity as members of the reserve, a badge I. will serve as a pass to local social entertainments both of a civil and military character, and-it may be worn bv the members, at any time, but always on the- King's Birthday and similar occasions. In no case will ribbons be sworn with these badges, and they will not be worn! in uniform. Local "authorities are asked to do all in their power to second the efforts of the country associations to give a national reserve a: privileged position in the,public life of the country. Its members will be offi- ■ chilly recognised on national ceremonial' occasions and all local military fttnctions. arid it is hoped that similar privi- : leges will be accorded to them by conn- 1 ty and borough authorities at public functions under their control. In the event of the national reservists being employed on mobilisation they will receive army rates of pay and allowance' according to the ranks and appointment in which they are • employed. Service' rendered by national reservists who are' pensioners, if recalled and re-enlisted on' account of national emergency will count toward an increase of pension.