THE CALL TO ARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14644, 1 April 1911, Page 8

THE CALL TO ARMS.

m OUR DEFENCE FORCES. PROCLAMATION OF NEW ACT. There has been ample evidence at the Drill Hall every evening this week of the near approach of the proclamation of the new Defence Act, which provides for uni : veraal training. After registration the recruit will bo unable to chooeo his corps or •arm of service, but will be drafted either into a territorial unit or into the general training section, according to his capabilities. Many young men of the city preferred to make their own choice of corps before the registration under the new Act commenced, and in consequence much recruiting by existing corps has taken place this week. The artillery and engineering companies seem the most popular, and some of these are now up to full strength. The recruiting sergeants have had a busy week. The final opportunity to recruit voluntarily presents itself to-day. On Monday proclamations will be posted in all post offices, police stations, and other conspicuous places, informing all male inhabitants of New Zealand who were between the ages of 14 and 20 (inclusive) on March 1. 1911, that they must register themselves within 60 days for military service, in accordance with tho Act. A total of 7000 men is required for the Auckland district to make up the establishment. The authorities aro prepared to deal with all those who register between now and June 30, and a start with training will be made in July. The organisation of tho Auckland forces is proceeding satisfactorily, and yesterday Colonel G. 0. B. Wolfe issued several district orders dealing with internal arrangements. The first states that, with the new defence scheme coming into operation on April 3 appointments have been made as follows: —-Lieutenant-Color.el W. D. Hoifate, commander Mounted Rifle Brigade; lajor C. T. Major, D.5.0., commander Auckland Infantry Brigado; Major liarclay, commander i6th Infantry Regiment; Captain Steadman, commander 15th Infantry Regiment. Other appointments will be announced later, and the ranks of new commanders will shortly be gazetted. The present senior officers of either mounted rifle or infantry regiments will command their respective units. The second order states that all correspondence to district headquarters will cease on April 3, except that, of brigadiers and officers commanding artillery, engineering, and bearer corps. All correspondence from officers of New Zealand staff corps to district headquarters must in future be addressed to district headquarters; P.O. box 572. The third order refers to future access to district headquarters, and states that appointments to see the officer commanding the district on duty must bo arranged with A.A. and Q.M.G. In matters of urgency and at all times by appointment officers of the New Zealand staff corps have access to district headquarters. Territorial officers will be received by appointment, and with the approval of'brigadiers. The fourth district order refers to the accommodation, and states that for the present the district headquarters will be in the Auckland Drill Hall. Arrangements may be made later for the removal of the district headquarters.