CANADA'S HUGE FORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 December 1915, Page 12 (Supplement)

CANADA'S HUGE FORCE.

Twelve new Canadian infantry battalions (15,000 men) are crossing the ocean as complete units (wrote the Toronto correspondent of Melbourne Argus last month). Including the 10,000 men on garrison and home duty in Canada, the. Dominion lias now under arms approximately 100,000 men. With the addition of 40,030 reinforcements how proposed, Canada will have within a few months a trained army of over 200,000 men. Labor organisations are facilitating recruiting by generous treatment of men going to the front. Those who enlist are kept in good standing, so that thev will not lose their benefit dues 'by reason of their absence. The war has made serious inroads upon lacrosse, football, hockey, cricket, and golf. Half the •players-in some teams now wear the King's uniform. Owing to the consequent scarcity of players there will he comparatively few games till the war is over. -Some of our sports bid fair to collapse altogether. The organisation of a reserve militia has now been authorised. It is distinct, of course, from the overseas forces and from the ordinary active militia, Xo one can join the reserve under 35 years of age. For retirement no age limit is fixed. All must be physically fit, if not for service in the field, for garrison or administrative work. To obtain a commission a man must have three years' satisfactory service in the naval or military forces of the Crown. Drill and training will be voluntary, and will entail no expense to the public, In time of emergency the reserve militia will be liable to be called out on active service anywhere in Canada; The Government does not undertake to provide equipment, except when the force is called out en active service, nor will the officers or men be entitled to pay for transportation except on active service