BRITISH POLITICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8368, 27 February 1907, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

AUSTRALIAN STATES CONSTITUTION BILL. Received February 26, 9.22 a.m. LONDON, February 25. A Bill, which has received the approval of the various States of Australia, has been introduced into the House of Lords by the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Lord Elgin), under the title of the Australian States Constitution Bill. Its object is to amend the constitution of the various States so as to get rid of the necessity of certain legislation, dealing with the representation of the people, having to be reserved for the Royal Assent after being passed by the States Parliaments.

THE ARMY REORGANISATION SCHEME.

Received Last Night, 9.58 o'clock LONDON, February 26.

Mr K. B. Haldane, in a speech lasting 190 minutes, explained the Army reorganisation scheme, which would be on a basis of two lines instead of three. The field force would consist of six divisions of infantry with artillery and four brigades of cavalry, totalling 160,000 officers ai)d men. The territorial .home force would consist of the existing miltia, yeomanry and volunteers, and would be transformed into a homogenous body of fourteen divisions, totalling 300,000. The yeomanry would form the cavalry, while the guns now being replaced in the regular army would be transferred to the territorial force. One hundred and twenty-five batteries on a four gun basis, besides howitzers and heavy guns, would shortly be available. Finally the territorial ilivisions and brigades would be organised into twelve districts on a county basis, and Rifle Clubs and Cadet Corps would be affiliated. Men would be recruited for four years' service, and would then be at liberty to retire after giving three months' notice and £5 to compensate the State for loss in training them. Those electing to remain after four years will form the reserve. County associations will be formed by prominent county officials and the military element, all under the Army Council's control. The commanding officers of volunteers will be relieved of their present financial liabilities. Volunteers will receive good fifteen-pounders converted into quick-firers.