MILITIA TRAINING.

Mataura Ensign, 24 July 1906, Page 1

MILITIA TRAINING.

THE -'SPECTATOR" EXPERIMENT

What is known as the. 'Spectator' experiment in militia training is proceeding very satisfactorily. Colonel Pollock, of the Somersetshire Ijght Infantry, undertook to train in six months one hundred recruits, so that at the end of that time they would be as good at drill, u t musketry and a I gymnastics as any regular soldiers ot the sumo length of service, and more proficient in tactics than amy eompanv selected from any regular battalion in the United Kingdom. The challenge was backed by the 'Spectator,' the requisite funds wore obtained, and the sympathy of the War Office enlisted, and the experiment is now being carried out on Hoimslow Heath. Care w-as taken to select men with no previous training, the only qualifications being good character'and physical fitness. Mr William Maxwell, who mav be regarded as an expert in these matters, remarks, after visiting the camp, that although there is no sturtlin" novelty in the training that would ex' cite the Horse Guards, there is n difference in methods "based on the theorv thai a man—even when he joins the British Army—is a receptive creature with an instinct for varietv, und in three months is cupable of' more than Hie elements of dull and simple extensions." The results of a little more than two months' work aft- certainlv surprising. The men are quick und accurate in extended order work, nave some proficiency in the use- of ground and lire tactics, can build a trestle bridge, double two miles without dropping out, use the range-finder, perform some of the duties ol outposts, while most of them can read the Morse Code, by flair or lamp. Mr Maxwell is sure that Colonel Pollock will prove that in Knglund. as in .Japan, six months' training on sane principles may produce soldiers efficient enough to be rapidly improved to the necessary standard on the outbreak of war. anil show excellent reasons Jor the abolition of the present cumbersome und wasteful system of liamiug recruits. If he does he will go fur to solve the urgent question of the best means of reorganising national defence in Knglund. JJe will ut h-ust show thai neither the British recruit nor the British ollicer is so stupid as the system.