FOR DEFENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 76, 1 April 1910, Page 8

FOR DEFENCE.

iUXiULATIONS REQUIRED. THK NKW ACT. Regulations uudei the new- Di'tciuo Act have not yet been gazetted, although it i.s understood th;it they aie engaging the attention of the authoiilies, and that the Act itself will not bo fully opeiative until they are gazetted. Meanwhile it would appear that .i general nuclei standing has been arrived at between the authorities and commanders of volunteer companies. Under the old regime a volunteer corps could only earn capitation for a certain number of members — its establishment was fixed, and the Government was not lesponsiblc for the payment of capitation fees beyond that establishment. Under the Act of last session a new state of affairs has arisen, the effect of which, put brieily, is that if a young man from 18 to 'dl years of age defines to be relieved of compulsory service in the General Training Section, he can join a \olunteer corps, and identify himself with that particular unit, 'lo facilitate the entry of men liable for service into the volunteer ranks, ofti<ers commanding have been given to understand that the old rule regarding the strength of the company is no longer in force, and as a consequence many of the companies aro electing new members in coneideraible numbers. It is in this connection, however, that the lack of the regulations may possibly lead to trouble, ihe spirit of the. Act is that if a man does not become a volunteer he must (and will be compelled to) join the Genera l Training Section. Hut if the volunteer corps that he wished to join refuses to elect him, ho is deprived of his right of selection under tho Act. That i.s one important point on which the regulations are being looked for. Then- is also the question of uniforms. Ihe understanding is that the General Training Section will not be much catered for in that respect — that at their annual training they will be provided with a pair of rough trousen and a jersey, the latter bearing the bodge indicating the branch of the forces for which they are being trained. Their woik wil' b». confined almost solely to tho permanent camp, and only in exceptional cases will they require to appear in public on parade. It is further generally understood that the object of the authorities is that each of the volunteer corps shall wear an undress uniform of similar pattern and colom — except, perhaps, tho artillery and the mounted men. The publication of the regulations is. therefore, being awaited witli the greatest interest, and. in some quarter*, with some impatience.