THE MILITIA.

Evening Post, Volume 27, Issue 77, 27 September 1907, Page 6

THE MILITIA.

c STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. A statement regarding the recent article in the Evening Post headed "Militia, Fall In!" was made by the Premier in the House of Representatives this afternoon. He stated that the question of preparing the militia rolls had been considered by the Council of Defence, but it had not yet corao before him or the Minister of Defence. Under the Act of 1800 there was no power to call out the militia, and the Government had no intention of doing anything of the kind. It was necessary, however, in view of possibilities, that the Defence Council should prepare a nominal roil of thosa capable of taking part in the militia, at least in tho seaports of the Dominion. The Government was against conscription ; it was not in favour of the militia being called out ; and the Defence Council had not suggested, such a course being adopted. CABINET NOT YET CONSULTED. [BT TELEGRAPH. — PBESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, This Day. Regarding the calling out df the militia, the Hon G Fou-lds says tho matter has not been before Cabinet, which alone can call the militia out, the present intention being merely to prepaie the lists, so that the men can be called OMt at once when thought desirable.