EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1045, 7 February 1911, Page 5

EMPIRE DEFENCE.

SPEECH BY MR. HALDANE. By Talcgrapb— l're6S Association--Copyright. London, February 5. The Right Hon. 1!. li. Ilnldane, Secretary of State for War, speaking in London, said:—"Wo havn by far tho largest long-rango oversea force in tho world." He would not ris-k its existence by introducing a new basis, which would deprive tho Umpire of it. Certainly \W could continuo recruiting regulars on tho present footing, but tho future of the Territorials rested with the employers. STATEMENT BY LORD CURZON. COMPULSORY TRAINING, NOT CONSCRIPTION. London, February 5. Lord Curzou, speaking at Sheffield, decided that tho National Servico League advocated- conscription: They favoured compulsory training, to build up tho national physique and given the people a greater voice in controlling tho country's destinies. Of all tho fantastic charges mado tho most absurd was that such training would encourago jingoism. "Fancy," =aid Lord Curzon, "jingoism in Switzerland or aggression. in Norway !" AUSTRALIA'S FUTURE DEFENDERS. ENROLMENT RETURNS. (Rec. February G, 9.15 p.m.) Melbourne, February C. Later returns iudicato that tho New South Wales quota of boys enrolled in tho new defence scheme reach about forty thousand. TEE LAW. Before 12 o'clock on January 31 every boy between tho ages of 14 and 18 in the Commonwealth of Australia was required to bo registered for compulsory training under the provisions of the Commonwealth Defenco Act. It doesn't matter whether a lad is lame, blind, deaf, or dumb, or what nationality or religion his parents are, the law requires every male person within the'ages stated alivo in tho Commonwealth to-day to lie registered. The penalty for neglcct to register is JEIO upon the parent, guardian, or any other kind of custodian of the unregistered youth. The fino will have to be paid by someone, and the fine will not end tho matter; tho youth will have to bo registered in due course—and what is more, according to tho law;, if during; the prescribed period of service ho does not put in the requisito course of training he will remain under tho discipline of the Defence Department until he does.

Tho law on tho subject is set out as' follows:—

All inalo inhabitants of Australia (excepting thoso who are exempted by this Act) who have resided therein for six months and are British subjects shall be liable to bo trained as follows:—

(a) From 12 years to 14 years of age. in tho junior cadets; and (b) From 14 to 18 years of age, in the Senior cadets; and

(e) From. 13 to 25 years of ago, in tho citizen forces; and (d) From 25 to 2G years of nee, in the citizen forcr-s: • •

Provided that, cxcept in time of imminent danger of war, service under paragraph; (d) shall be limited to one registration or one muster parade.

Tho Act is now partly given effect to in accordance with the following regulation under Part II:—

All male inhabitants of Australia, who have resided therein for six months, shall register themselves, or bo registered by a parent, guardian, or other person acting "in loco parentis" in tho manner prescribed*-*"-'"" J ' vj.(a) During the month of January in the year in which they shall reach the aie of 14 years (or in the case of persons who in the year :in which this Part II commences will reach tho aso of 15, IG, or 17 years, during tho month of January in that year), or. •

(b) If not then present in Australia, or if for any other reason not registered at the prescribed time, within such further time, and in such manner as is authorised by regulations.