THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15902, 13 April 1912, Page 13

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

A FORWARD MOVE

SCHEME TO HELP THE AI7THORI-

TIES.

PROrOSED HONORARY TERRITORIALS.

CITIZENS COMMITTEE FORMED.

In tho brief space of half an hour last evening a proposal for tlie enrolment of honorary members of Territory ial Corps was placed before a gathering of citizens convened by tho Mayor (Mr J. J. Dougall) and received unanimous support as a movement likely to assist the Defence scheme and strengthen tho hands of the authorities in carrying it out. Tlie gathering was not large, but it was thoroughly representative. The Mayor, who presided, said that ho had been approached from Dunedin with the object of bringing under 'tho notieo of some of tho prominent citizens of Christchurch a scheme for the incorporation of honorary members of the Territorial Forces. The scheme had already been submitted to General Godley and had received his cordial approval. Tho General had said that ho was entirely in favour of the proceeding and that the scheme was quite feasible and would do a great deal of pood. As the Territorial question was being agitated so strongly in Christchurch at the present time, ho was of opinion that it was highly desirable that the responsible section of the community ought to lend its assistance in carrying out the defence and maintaining the idea of military training. He was assured that every responsible individual in the community must realise that it was tho duty of every man to protect his country. Everybody deplored war, but it was not an imaginary evil. Long years of peace, it had been said, were sapping the vigor of the race and the virility of manhood so characteristic of the; nation, but ho believed tho old spirit was merely latent. Tlie Defence scheme was admirable in every way. It contained nothing that could be described as tyrannical, and it was the finest thing possible not merely for defence, but also for instilling discipline among the young men (hear, hear). He and others present had been volunteers, and would support the scheme, but what was nceefisn.vy was some unity of "feeling, expressed in some tangible form in support of the scheme by outsiders. Mr J. F. M. Fraser, Grown prosecutor of Dunedin, had hit on the idea and was taking action in Dunedin at the same time appealing for assistance in Christchurch. Mr Fraser had written to General Godley, who had expressed the opinion that the proposal was not only feasible but practicable. In that connection the dominion owed a deep debt of gratitude to General Godley for tho manner in which lie had initiated the Defence scheme. Tho dominion had never had a better soldier or tactician. Tho proposal was that members of the League could become honorary members of different corps, paying a small fee. say 5s a year, to be paid into a fund for shooting prizes, but not towards the general maintenance fund of the regiment. It was proposed, also, that the honorary members, who should bo approved: by the Commandant, should wear a button. Members would not have any voice in tho control of the regiment-, but would be banded together merely to further the interests of tho Defence scheme and the regiment of which they wore .members. It was also suggested that regimental bands shoiila be allowed to have honorary members. This would help largely towards the maintenance of good regimental bands, a most, desirable adjunct to every regiment. Part of the honorary members’ funds could bo applied to the upkeep of the bands. The Mayor, in conclusion, said that it was almost certain that the proposal would meet with official sanction. It might not be inaugurated by civilians, but should be commenced among the Territorials. It had been suggested that a public meeting should be called, but perhaps it- would be better to obtain first tho approval of tlie Commandant.

Mr G OOI vo Harper said that ho approved of 'the formation of honorary reserve corps, which had been such a valuable adjunct of the old Volunteer corps. The duty was cast still more now on tlio older men to encourage' a movement which was handling very young men. He had no doubt that some such scheme would be adopted, as General Godley had shown such tact already that he would doubtless work out some practical scheme. He moved the motion read previously by the Mayor—“ That this meeting cordially approves of the suggestion that civilians should: be accorded' the privilege of becoming honorary members of the Territorial Forces, and pledges itself to support any organisation for the creation of such members that the authorities may see lit to approve. ” Mr S. H. Seager, in seconding the motion, said that older volunteers, like himself, would have been glad to join the Territorial scheme if there had been no age limit, and the proposal was very welcome. All the camps already held had been a huge success, and ho was certain that the anti-mili-tary cry would die out. Every youth who returned from camp was a walking advertisement of the value or the training. The Rev W S. Bean said that he cordially endorsed the proposal, and he could hear out all that Mr Seager had said about the youths who had come out of camp: He Was convinced that any youth who had gone into camp an anti-militarist had come out of it a militarist. He had spoken to youthshaphazard, and without exception they had expressed their pleasure with the camp. If there was any country worth fighting for it was Britain, and he was persuaded that the anti-militarist feeling would die out in the course of twelve months.

Mr John Connal said that the object was to let the authorities know' that the peoole were in favour of the defence scheme.

Bishop Grimes said that the scheme had been outlined very ably by the Mayor and everybody present would approve of it. There was an erroneous impression abroad that the Government desired to establish a nation of warriors. Defence he regarded as a safeguard against war. In the recent German • war searo ho believed that danger had been averted by the manner m which the outlying dependencies had rallied round the Empire. No country would attack New' Zealand if every man were trained to bear arms, and ho thought that the proposal should have the approval of every loyal citizen.

It was agreed that those present should, form themselves into a provisional committee to further the objeot proposed.

The “ New Zenlaanl Gazette” of April 11 contains notice of the following promotions and resignations relative to the Territorial Forces: —

First Mounted Rifles (Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry).—The undermentioned officers have resigned their commissions :—Captain George Edward Rhodes, Lieutenant William Hawkins and Second Lieutenant Kenneth James Sinclair Murchison. Second Lieutenant Thomas Morton is transferred to tho Unattached List (b) for service with tho Senior Cadets. The undermentioned second lieutenants have been promoted to be lieutenants John Coo and Horace Drummond Bailey. Supernumerary Second Lieutenant Francis Davison is absorbed into the establishment. Corporal Leslie Robert Macfarlane has been appointed second lieutenant. First (Canterbury) Regiment.—Second Lieutenant Charlton Conrad Ziosier has resigned his commission-