THE MILITIA QUESTION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6326, 28 September 1907, Page 7

THE MILITIA QUESTION

NO CONSCRIPTION UNNECESSARY ALARM. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. Sir Joseph Ward made a statement to the House yesterday 01161*00011 in reference to an announcement, based on an interview with Colonel Robin, which appeared in the press, that enrolment of those liable to serve in the militia was to be made throughout the Dominion, leading to the conclusion that the maiitia was to bo called out.

At a meeting of the Council of Defence on September. 18th last, said the Premier, the following resolution was passed : At a meeting of the Council of Defence, held on September 12th. 1907, a recommendation was made that the necessary action be taken to carry out the provisions of the Defence Act Amendment Act, 1900, sections 4 to 11 inclusive. The re-

commendation ia therefor© submitted for consideration. [These sections provide that for the purposes of enrolling and organising the militia, the Governor may from time to time, by any general order, divide the’colony into military districts and sub-districts, and define or alter the boundaries thereof; and appoint fit persona, to be called "enrolment oflicers," for each of such districts or sub-districts, or as he may deem expedient. On the completion of such rolls the force available for service in the militia, aa appearing on such rolls, shall be divided into companies, regiments, and battalions, or other divisions, as may bo directed by the Commandant of the Defence Forces, and such olhcers shall be appointed thereto by the Governor as he shall deem necessary,] This recommendation was, said tho Premier, considered upon a memorandum by Colonel Robin, Chief of the General Stall, asking that consideration be given as to the advisability of the militia rolls being compiled, and that l the secretary obtain information for a later meeting as to how this roll could bo compiled at the lowest cost. The Defence Council came to the decision that action be taken in this direction, and it was referred to the Minister of Defence. Now, tho Minister of Lands, during the pressure of work of the session, was acting Minister of Defence, His colleague was not present at the meeting of the Defence Council referred to. A further memorandum for consideration was whether the militia rolls should be taken at any of tho seaports. As a matter of fact, Mr McNab had no opportunity of conferring with him (Sir Joseph) upon the matter. It was neither authorised by the Acting-Minister of Defence nor by himself. Under the clauses of the Defence. Act of 1900, referred to, there was no power whatever given to call out the militia, and he would like to say that the Government had, no intention of doing anything of the kind, nor had it been suggested by the Defence Council. Ho had had no opportunity of discussing this point with Colonel Robin, but he thought a wrong impression had been conveyed. And here he might say that as a matter of future procedure, whilst he did not reflect in the slightest degree upon Colonel Robin's judgment, because that officer's integrity was 1 beyond question, such things should only be given out by the Government, as misunderstandings were likely to arise, particularly in this case, where the Minister of Defence had no knowledge of the matter so far as it had gone. What it was intended to do was an entirely different thing to what had been ed. Tinder tbe Act, as it stood, certain requirements in connection with militia matters were provided for, and the Defence Council ought to obtain, without any expense-being incurred, through its own officers, a, nominal roll of those taking part in the militia. He hoped he had made it clear that the Government was against conscription. The Government was not in favour of calling out the militia, nor was the Defence Council in favour of it. '