NATIONAL RESERVE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 31 December 1912, Page 5

NATIONAL RESERVE

TO BE FORMED IN NEW ZEALAND. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) , CFIRISTCHIIJRCH, Last Night. A general desire having being expressed throughout the Dominion, particularly on the part of ex-VoJian-teers, for the formation of a, National Reserve, the Hon R. H. Rhodes, Acting-Minister of Defence," announces that the formation of such, a reserve lhas been approved by tho Government. The reserve will consist! ' of all men who are not members of the Territorial forces. Territorial force's reserve, or on the' active list of a rifle club. There will he no limit in regard to ago, and no conditions except those already stiated in respecfc .of membership. It will be purely a voluntary organisation, and 1 will receive no financial assistance from tho Government, except official recognition. Its organisation will be by military districts, and senior retired of(fieers will be asked t& undertake' each, lentirelv independent of' the military authorities. The object of the National Reserve •in the British Isle® is to form a register of those who have served on many of the military or naval forces of the Orown. and being under no obligation for further service are willing to come up for service if called o» iti the event ofxany national emergency. Two classes of duties are set forth. In one class, in the event of a national emergency, the members must join a combatant unit for service in the field to carry out combat duty ire garrisons or other fixed positions, «r perform administrative work." In tho second class, members having shown tliei\; willingness to come up far service once more ]f called upon, can da much in times of peace to bring hoime to the youth of the. nation the fact that every man; owe® a duty to his country, the duty of personal service, and members will be expected to assist in the organisation and training of the recognised cadet units. National service is of much importance, ajid the National Reserve is recognised in the King's regulations a® forming part of the military organisation of the country, and the Army Council, in a circular it has issued, trusite that through, it a real bond of union will be created between those still serving and those who ihave servedi 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 tibat the ■members of the National Reserve 'shall wear a uniform in their capacity a« members of the reserve, a badge will servo as a. oass' toi local social entertainments, both of civil and military character, and it may be worn by memlvers at any time übut always on the King's' Birthday and' on similar occasion. Tn, no case will ribands be worn with these, 'badges, and they will , not-be worn in uniform. The local authorities' are asked to: do all in tbe-> power V>- setond' the bffoirtfcs of ' oountv associations to give the NatioVial Rasei-vp a privileged position in the nublic lif? of tib/e country. Its members will be officia.% i-eoogiiised on nntima.l occasions, rind all Irml military functions, and' it. i t T hoped that; similar privileges' wall be. accorded to them by'county and bor- ' oiiPih authorities at public , functions under their control.; In the event of National, RAserv;V-' being employed an mobilisation, they will receive airtny rates of pav a T, d allowance according bo the rank and appointment in, wMch they are ftTpployed. Artny serviro ren- ' fered; bv National 'Reservists .who are Den-sioners, if. recalled .■and re-eni'i#cd account, r<f n national emersp^c-r, "•ill Ao:mt- towards an increase in their ions,ion. \