THE DEFENCE PROPOSALS.

Lake County Press, Issue 2300, 25 November 1909, Page 5

THE DEFENCE PROPOSALS.

Compulsory Training For Youths And Young Men.

The new Defence proposes are of a far-reacht!,g character. Ail h-ys between tho ages of 12. and 18 are to undergo eiamentary and progressive training tidier in a junior or senior cadet division. 13k.ysj'uhder the former age will undergo physical training only. All young unfit, between- the' ages of IB and 21 will undergo two years', compulsory training. This training will be on stated evenings, and on half and whole days during tho year. In addition there will be training or ,14 days in each year in training camps. As further part of the proposed scheme an active force will he organised, consisting of 20,000 men of all ranks, composed of men between the ages of 18 and 80 years, who choose to join voluntarily. This force will be organised on Imperial lines as to arms, equipments, establishment and training. After these men have completed their service they will pass to a reserve. In the event of such a force not being equipped in point of numbers of voluntarily enlisting, a selection will be made from those undergoing the compulsory training above outlined to make up the total. This active force will bo established on- March 1 next, in the larger centres of population only. Tho mounted,, rifles }i\ the country will, however,! be included as the staff instructors gain experience, and a3 material and equipment are available the scheme /will be extended beyond the larger centres to the outlying districts of the! Dominion. The compulsory training for the junior and senior cadets and for young men between 18 and 21 will commence as soon as the requisite registration can be completed. Iliile club;; are to be encouraged, and those exempt from service in the forces referred to, with those who have completed their service, may join these clubs. Sir Joseph does not, however, propose that those undergoing compulsory training shall be provided with uniform. Their training is to-, take place in ordinary civilian dress. As it is desirable that there should ba uniformity between the scheme followed by the Imperial General Staff aud our General Staff, steps will be taken to insure the necessary similarity of training and methods of defence. As a permanent central training ground will be absolutely necessary in each island, the House is to be asked to authorise the setting apart of a considerable area of of land, say, 12,000 acres in each island, where continuous training may take place, where a permanent instructional staff can be located, and on which all necessary buildings, ranges, and other equipments can be erected. The expense of all this is estimated at not more than £IOO,OOO per annum.