NATIONAL RESERVE.

Press, Issue LXVIII, 31 December 1912, Page 8

NATIONAL RESERVE.

, - TO BE FORMED IN NEW ZEALAND.

SCHEME APPROVED BY THE

GOVERNMENT.

A general desiro having been expressed throughout tho Dominion, particularly on tne part of ox-volunteers, for tho formation of a national reserve, /■ Licut.-Coloncl tho Hon. It. Heaton Rhodes, tho acting-Minister of Defence, announces that tho formation of such ;i reserve has been approved by tne

Government. The reserve will consist of all men who aro not members of tho Territorial forces, the Territorial forces reserve, or on tho activo list of a rifle club. There will bo.no limit iv regard to ago, and no conditions, except tliose a I read v stated in respect of membership. " It will bo a purely voluntary organisation, aud will receive no financial assistance Irom the Government except oilicial recognition. Its organisation -will bo by military districts, and senior retired oiheers will be asked to undertako it, each entirely independent of the military authorities. THE BRITISH NATIONAL RESERVE.

The object of tho .National Reserve in the British Isles is to form a register of thoso who havo served in any of tho military or naval forces of tho Crown, and, being under no obligation for further service, are willing to come up for service if called on in tho event ot national emergency. Two classes of duties aro set forth. In ono class, on national emergency, tho members must r join a combatant unit for service in the field, to carry out combatant duty in garrisons or other fixed positions, or perform administrative work. In the second class, members, having shown their willingness to come up for service once'moro if called upon, can do much in times of peace to bring home to the youth of tho nation the I act that every man owes a duty to his country, tho duty of personal service, and members will be expected to assist in tho organisation anel training of recognised cadot. units, a national .service of much importance. _ The National Reserve is recognised in the > King's regulations as forming part of ' tho military organisation of tho country, and tho Army Council, in a circular it has issued, trusts that through it a real bond of union will be created between those still serving and those who havo served. Tho military authorities in tho command at Hpino havo been directed to do all in their power to develop anel encourago this feeling of comradeship. As is not proposed that members of tho National Reserve shall wear uniform in their capacity as members of the Reserve, a badge.'approved by the King, is given to each reservist. It is hoped that this badgo will servo as a pass to local social entertainments both of a crvll

and a military character, and it may be worn by members at atiy time, but always on the King's Birthday and similar occasions. In no case will ribands be worn with these badges,

and they will not bo worn in uniform. Local authorities are asked to do all in their power to second the efforts of County Associations to give the National Reserve a privileged position in the public life of tho country. Its members will bo 9fficially recognised on national ceremonial occasions, and all local military functions, and it is hoped that similar privileges will be accorded to them by County and Borough authorities at public functions under their control. In tho event of National Reservists being on mobilisation, they will receive Army rates of pay and allowanco according to tho ranks "ar-d appointments in which they are.employed. Servico rendered by' National Reservists who are pensioners, if. recalled and re-enlisted on -account of a national emergency, will count toward an increase of pension.