THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 226, 17 June 1908, Page 8

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

: •' . -t —.——. SPECIAL RESERVE CORPS. Last year, on May 9, 1907, to be precise, regulations by the Council of Defence, for tho formation of a special reserve were gazetted. Under theso regulations infantry or mounted rifle corps which had fallen below tho. required strength, ;or whose headquarters were so remotely situated from lines of communication 'that rapid mobilisation was impossible, wore givon authority, to form special reserves., As such, they might retain their rifles, bayonets,-waist belts, and pouchos, returning to the_ Government their haversacks and other i equipment. TIIO uniforms then in tlieir possession wore to bo retained, and when worn out to bo replaced by cheap service uniforms. Four drills a year were proscribed, with the usual course of musketry. The minimum strength of reserve corps was 30, and'any corps falling below this limit was liable to be disbanded. . x The regulations also provided that properly established volunteer' companies might also establish their own reserve corps, to which might bo transferred members of over five years'service. Generally speaking, tho samo liabilities and privileges would attach to tho reserves as to tho volunteers.

The above regulations are to be issued, as it has been found that tho majority of ox-volunteers havo not, for some reason or other,'" madel themselves fully acquainted with a provision which' offers them attractive service, for, in common with the volunteers; they will _ take part when called - out in mobilisation operations. Tho whereabouts of a great number of oxvolunteers is a matter of concern to tho Council of Defence. "We don't' want to lose sight of a man'who has cost us between £5 and £10 to train," remarked Colonel Webb to a Dominion reporter. Tho Chief of the General Staff, Colonel A. W. ; Robin, C.8.. . says that he saw, in Otago 'recently, evidences that tho reserve scheme was exciting some attention among 'ex-volunteers;'. Throughout the year a number ; of' volunteers resigned ■ from thoir companies—not from disagreement, but, in some cases, pressure of private business, and in others' Satisfactory reasons wore given. It is the dosire of the Council to sco these men keep iii touch with volunteering. The volunteer population, Colonel, Webb pointed out, was raoro or less ■ a floating one. Men were constantly joining or leaving. In January last 211 : men were recorded as having left tho Forces; 32 left in February; 232 in March, and 544 in April. Their places wero, of course, filled, but the men who had left were trained men, and should,' he said, bo kept in sight. '