AEMY REFORM.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11245, 10 April 1902, Page 2

AEMY REFORM.

THE NEW REGULATIONS. (Per s.s. Ventura at Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO, March 20. A despatch from London on March Bth says:—The new army regulations proposed by the War Secretary, Mr Brodrick, appaai to have been copied directly from the United States. They relate to increased pay and other reforms. Major Arthur Lee, M.P., and formerly British Military Attache at Washington, said, "At last wejiave taken out a leaf from your excellent book, though I do not believe we have gone quite as far in that direction as we might, or as I hot>e we shall. "Under Mr Brodridc's proposed changes a private in the British infantry now receives almost as much pay as a private- in the United States Army. With this change we hope to get a class of recruits similar to those secured in America. Under the old pay we were gradually lowering the physical standard, vet finding it hard to get men, while our desertion percentage was increasing! at a rate which showed there was something radically wrong with the system. A year ago Mr Brodrick poohpoohed the idea of copying from the United States, and now he has changed his mind. For the first time Tommy,' with everything found and a higher pay, will be in a better position than his agricultural brother. The present move banishes all possibility of conscription, for I understand that Mr Brodrick is willing to go even further, and by liberal finance build up a standard of army increase of pay. It means an annual cost of an additional two million pounds, but I maintain it will be a direct saving of mon&rj for the Better class of men secured wilf mean fewer men in the hospitals and prisons, as well as obviating otiher forms of wastage. ,, A cable message to the "New York Sun," dated London, March sth, says:—The "Portsmouth News," referring" to Mr Brodrick's scheme for reorganising the Awnv, states that from what can be gathered. Great Britain and Ireland would produce and equip six army corps, three of which, representing with the cavalry brigades 150,000 men, would be prepared to take the field for the defence of the colonies or for action against a European Power. This would leave an equal number for Home defence, besides the militia, yeomanry and volunteers, allotted to coast | and garrison defence. The scheme is said to arrange for India to provide one army corps from the various presidencies and South Africa two army corps, available for j service anywhere. Australia will provide two, and &ew Zealand and Canada, will furnish four militia corps, to be available if required. The scheme also contemplates periodical visits of Imperial troops to tiie colonies.