EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9551, 26 July 1909, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

THE BRITISH ARMYIMPROVEMENTS IN METHODS OF TRAINING. United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph Copvrigut, LONDON, July 23. Major General Hoad's report on his tour of inspection in England, lays stress on the great improvements in the methods of training in the British army. The report says that commonsense and practical methods are now employed generally, and no ornamental work is attempted. AUSTRALIA ANDDEFENCE. COLONEL FOXTON'S VIEWS. Received July 25, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, July 24. Colonel Foxton, the Commonwealth delegate to the Defence Conference, interviewed in reference to the Conference, said that it was pretty certain Australia would adopt compulsory training up to 18, perhaps 21, years of age. and afterwards possibly to a mature age. The latter step would depend on experiences in connection with the senior cadet system. He hoped for an interchange of officers and men of the Navy. An offer of a Dreadnought or some alternative would be made unconstitionally. He was not prepared to say what the alternative should be, but Australia desired to contribute in kind for the maintenance of British naval supremacy irrespective of the Commonwealth measures for the defence of Australia, and the trade routes.