Calling Out the Militia.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 4, 30 September 1907, Page 5

Calling Out the Militia.

STATEMENT BY MR. FOWLDS. MERELY PREPARING LISTS. By ' Tclesrapli.—Association.—Copyright. , (From our own Correspondent). '• " • Auckland,-' September 28. Commenting editorially upon tho Defence Council's proposal to enforce the Militia Act, tho " Herald," while feeling thankful that there is even a sliglit;stir in public opinion such as to enable the Defence Council to suggest thi sstep, points out that tile calling out of the militia will not give ua officers or rides/ ammunition or equipment. "The rifles,.an-.the Dominion would not linn even tlifc trained men, the; competent- officers are barely sufficient for the existing volunteer forces, there is not ammunition enough to serve every rifle with 100 rounds, while as for overcoats, carts, horses, -.tentsj; and the vast amount of other requisites for military movements, they simply do-not exist-." Seen'on, this subject. to-day, the Hon.- George Fowlds, Minister for Education, was asked what was to ho ■done i ntlic matter. Ho replied: "I roally cannot tell you for the excellent reason, that ,1 do,, not know. The hi'attcr is hot in my department, as you' aft aware, and I .have heard nothing about it beyond what has appeared in-the Press. , Cabinet has not had the matter up fbr consideration. .nThc intention -is--merely to prepare lists of those' who'will bo called uj'on when it is decided to call out the militia for service." " It hasybccu stated in Wellington that as scion as the lists are complcto /the militia will be called upon to per,fsct'ithemselves in military duties," said the reporter. ."Well/' implied. Mr. Fowlds, "the calling out of'tho militia .'is an executive matter, and can only bo done oil the authority of tho Cabinet. As I havo stated, that authority has not been given, and it is not likely that tho men will be called out. Tho preparation of the lists will take a very long time, and this is now being put in hand, so that they will be ready when required."