HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 220, 23 September 1910, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

The House met at 2.30 -p.m. _ ; TEACHERS' SUPERANNUATION. A petition from a number of teachers desiring to join the superannuation fund was recommended" by , the Education Committee to the favorable consideration of the Government. .

DEFENCE. - ' l In moving the second reading of the Defence Act Amendment Bill, Sir JOSEPH WARD said that the object of the Bill, generally, was to give effect to Lord Kitchener's proposals by amending the principal Act. "The Commandant of the Forces would he substituted for the Defence Coun--1 oil. The Commandant would be responsible for the training of the forces and the care of .all stores and

property belonging to the Defence Department. The officers would be appointed on" a system of selection. >Tlia Stipendiary Magistrates and Jus--tioes of the Peace in the various districts would be entrusted with the 'registration required by the system. Exemption would be made of thos9 physically unfit, officers of junior cadets, those who were the main support of those depending upon them, those convicted of crime or of notorious bad character. The reserve would be composed of officers and men over 25 who had left the Territorials. With certain exceptions, the term of service in the Reserve would be five years. The Bill extended the age of compulsory service from 20 to 25 years, in accordance with Lord Kitchener's recommendations. Under ■bhsi Bill the number of men in the various ages would be increased. The general effect of the Bill was to increase the men liable to serve from 36,600, under "the present Act, to 75,096. From that number one-third might be deducted as exempt. In 1916 the officers would amount to 40,375 (?). Of th© 18 to 19-year men not selected for the Territorials there would be 30,000 in 1916. The rifle clul) men, who now numbered 3414, would be greatly increased. The senior -cadets, now numbering i 4109, would Ifcs increased to 35,000. He proposed iiitroducing an amendment to permit of the Boy Scouts wearing uniforms and continuing to be known as - Scouts, but coming under the training of senior cadets, while having the of continuing Scout training. Unless ;fchis were done Scouts would tbe able to evade the training required under the education system. Experience had shown that it was not desirable to overtax the cadet with

physical exercises, and his training would be preparatory to entering the /Territorials. Sixty-four hours' trainisig would be equivalent to 16 days. "The discipline would be extended to i>rihg officers under military law. Provisions were made . for a Judge, as Advocate-General, being appointed to preside at oourtrDiaTtials. This officer would be a man of high legal training and. military experience. The ' scheme would involve an outlay "of £300,000 for the first year, £350,000 for the second; and £400,000, for the following years. During the period of transition, the affairs of each unit would be gone into with tbe view of ■dealing with their liabilities. He believed that the best course would be for the Dominion to take over tho assets of tbe various volunteer corps. Be. had proposed this last session, but the House did not agree to his suggestion. He considered that "the ; whole scheme would be well under way in 1913, and " should be completely ■established. He deprecated the. idea of universal military training, which

would inevitably cause reaction, re-

suiting in a breakdown. Under the Bill no man would be expected to go into camp without receiving an equivalent of his day's wages. Tho -expenditure in connection with the of officers and -men would

-amount to £99,000, and .camp expenses would bring the total up to £57,000 per annum. The sum of

iJ30,000 yearly would be required for uniforms for the Territorials. Yearly 10,000 would be available, and estimating exemptions at 50 per cent., -fchat would leave 5000 men, 1000 more "than were required. Opportunities ■would, be given for the men not selected for the Territorials, to train. Lord Kitchener had impressed upon him -the necessity of adhering to the selection system, so as to obtain the best personnel. This was infinitely better, ihan the ballot system. The House adjourned at 5.30 p.m.