THE TERRITORIALS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 226, 12 February 1913, Page 5

THE TERRITORIALS.

NATIONAL DEFENCE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, February 10. In the House of Lords, Lord Mddleton drew attention to the decline in tie number of Territorials. Lord Herschel replied that the Government had requested the Committee of Defence to reconsider the safety of the country in the event of an expeditionary force going abroad, in view of the new military factors since Mr. Asquith's statement in July 2!>, 1900. The Government was opposed to compulsory service, but it might be desirable to institute compulsory physical training in 1 connection with continuation schools. It might be that the use of arms and simple military formations would add to self-respect and lay the foundations on which a great scheme of fence would lie based if unforeseen dangers menaced the country. A BRISK DEBATE. Received 12. 12.30 a.m. London, February 15. ' In the House of Lords, Lord Herschel said that in addition to 253,000 Territorials the National Reserve numbered 190,000. The Government was convinced that proper provision had been made against particular dangers, and was able to guarantee that the country was safeguarded.

Lord Roberts said that as a soldier it was nonsense to say that the Territorials were (it for war. Lord Methuen said tint if both parties appealed to the cenntry on compulsory training he believed the system would be accepted. Lord Haldane said that the Government had concentrated on naval defence owing to the impossibility of organising the military in any way to relieve the navy. If a compulsory army was raised they would be unable to maintain their oversea forces on a voluntary basis. The proclamation of inefficiency had produced a bad impression abroad. Lord Lansdowne said that what was needed was an unlimited supply of halfmanufaetured soldiers, which could be obtained by compulsory school training.