THE NEW DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1116, 2 May 1911, Page 7

THE NEW DEFENCE.

ADDRESS BY CAI>T. KICHAHDSON. Addressing tho Victoria League last evening, Cnptuin G. Si liicliarrt-on (>,. Z. General Stall'), outlined a purpose of the defenca movement in New Zealand, ami sketched the effect of tho del'cnea legislation recently paired. Intel- alia, he Mated that employers as a class could scarcely complain tnat they were badly treated under the new- regime. The only period during which the employers would be afftcted would be one of nine days, which Territorials would be reijuired annually to spend in camp. Employees, on the other hand, would have to undergo a certain sacrifico of pleasure, and have to give up a few Saturday afternoons, apart from tho annual training period, ami one night in each week. There had been somo discussion, Captain liicliardson remarked, as to the maimer in which exemptions from service miglit lie arranged. It had been thought that more recruits I hail wero required would be available.It now appeared, however, that almost all the recruits obtainable would be required under tlie defence scheme. About 111,000 lads would reach the age of training every year, and of thes? probably about. 7000 would be medically lit for' service. In ten years' time about 70,0(10 men would pass through the ranks. .Vest year there would b? .10,000 Territorials' and l-J,r..'oi cadets in training. There would be every incentive to members of the forces embodied under Hip new defence scheme to attain a good standard of efficiency. If necessary, (in order to keep within hounds of expenditure) men would bo, drafted into the reserve before their training period had expired. Naturally on thc.-e occasions tlie most efficient men would be .'elected. The Now Zealand defence scheme, continued Captain' Richardson, was the first compulsory • frainiug scheme established in tho British Kmpire. Tlie Australian scheme did not make anyone liable for service who was now over eighteen, but in Kew Zealand men of twenty-one would be called upon to serve. It was for Ihe people to support the scheme. The speaker believed that, if they did, in a few years' time they would not regret il. Sea-power was all important, but it'must be backed up by armed and trained nations ashore.