THE TERRITORIALS.

Evening Star, Issue 15187, 19 May 1913, Page 2

THE TERRITORIALS.

MINISTERIAL EXPLANATION. A statement- dealing with some of the misunderstandings that have arisen in connexion with the Defence Act has been prepared by the Acting Minister of Defence, wlr) is inviting the newspapers to eivc it pi])■]icity, so ihat the citizen soldiers may understand exactly the obligations that are imposed upon them. One point the Ministei emphasises is that no member of tho Territorial Force can be required to undertale service outside the Dominion without his voluntary consent to do so. This is clearly set out in section 22 of the Act. It is made plain that in lime of war the Governor mry call out for military trainin' and service all eligible males between the ages of 17 and 55 who have resided in th* Dominion for six months, thus disposing of the statement repeatedly put forward by the anti-militarists that Parliament has decreed that “only boys without votes” ear be compelled to assist in the Hefenco of tin country. The Minister shows that th're is no provision in the law “ for calling out Territorials to assist the Civil police in quelling riots and otherwise upholding law and order.” in order to remove the misconception tint exists as to the number of permanent officers and non-commissioned officers employed with the citizen forces, tho Minister supplies the following figures showing the proportion the permanent staff bears to the mon it has to train: Officers 66 Non-commissioned officers... 205 Territorial Force 22.325 Senior Cadets 22.985 Attached to Rifle Clubs ... 4,708 There is ono instructor, officer, or non-com-missioned officer to every 188 men in citizen training. In the Permanent Force the proportion of officers is one to every 29 nen._ The proportion of officers in the Territorials is not calculated to breed the Continental atmosphere of militarism that is so properly denounced by the opponents of the system.