THE DEFENCE SCHEME,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13780, 19 December 1906, Page 5

THE DEFENCE SCHEME,

IMPORTANT SriiEClt BY THE MINISTER. (Pun United Psess Assocutiox.) WELLINGTON", December 18. At the banquet given at the Lower Hutt last evening to the Premier of Tasmania, tins promised speech of tlio Minister of Defence (Sir Joseph Ward) on tho Dofenco Council was delivered.

Tlio Minister of Defence (Sir Joseph Ward) stated '.hat, to fill vacancies caused liy Colonels ltotiin, Davios, and Wobb inking nil their new positions to-day, Wellington district would be oll'ered to Colonel Bauchcp, now iu command of the Canterbury districl, and tho latter district would bo offered to Colonel Hawkins (Southland) or Colonel Abbott (Wellington). Both of theso are at pro-ent in private life. Major Joyce, of tho Permanent Department, would have command of tho Nelson district, and Colonel Wolfe (now of Nelson, Imperial oliiccr) would be. offered tho Auckland district. Tho position of staff officer to tlio Adjutant-general would bo offered to Captain Sedilon, but ho did not know if it would be aec'ptcd. The Chief Clerkship lo tk Department ot Defence would lio olfered to .Mr Cray, who already held il responsible position there, and tho Director of Stores would bo Air .T. U'Sullivan (at present Defence Storekeeper), who had carried out his duties with complete eatisfaction. Theso changes would cost comparatively littlo :-ompared with what, tho CoveriKiient had been spending, and lio was persuaded that in tho end they would bo more economical.

On the general question of defence, tho Premier said the Government intended to supply a certain amount ot ainuiuiiitioii free, and more at half-price, and for every company there would ho a King's Belt for competition, ihere should be a spceial military day, when theso trophies should be competed for. If the citizens olicse to supplement these belts they oould. Tho Government also wanted to encourage rille eiul'.s and 4'.uild up a body in evciy locality, ft was proposed to do away with tlio camps and give a portion of tho money for daylight parades. Men within 10 miles of the centres would havo greater facilities for travelling by rail. Miniature ritto ranges would ho established in every part of tho country, lie- did not believe that l'arliame.nt would 'begradgo tho money for a fully-cquippcd Volunteer service to protect our homes and country.

The Premier mentioned that the vacancy caused by Major .Toycc's promotion would be filled by Mr Macdonald, Mayor of tho Hutt, who was their host that night, l'cnding tlio appointment of an Imperial olHcer, Colonel AVtabb would aot as second military member,

The following is tlio policy of tho Government, outlined by the Premier on Monday night, in regard to inducing recruits to join the Volunteer Force: —

The Volunteer Pores is naturally composed of men who arc nearly all employed, so that they can only attend drills, etc.', in the ovenin" or ou holidays, and it seems, in the absence of compulsion, that it is onlv by making the force attractive, and offering a iinid pro quo, or by a patriotic spirit, that recruits will bo obtained, Tho success of the force most certainly now rests on having tho best officers. Given good audi as biglily-in6tructcd officers as possible the rest will follow. The leS3 training the men have tho higher training and knowledge in tho officers is nccessary. Facilities for instruction must lio given. Officers (except of mounted rifles) who have to lie mounted 011 certain parades should have tho cost defrayed. Say each alternato year it is proposed to select two olliccrs from the mounted rifles and infantry (one from each island), who pass certain qualifying tests given them, aro to be given a year in England or India, provided tlicv undertake on their return io continue in the service of tho district in which they reside, 011 tho instructional stair on partial pay. or tako up permanent service if a vacancy occurs.

Senior cllicors should bo taken more into confidence as to tho defence measures and tho seriousness of their position. Government departments shcjld cncourago and give facilities tr civil servants and school teachers to jalco office in tho Volunteers, and to university students 10 medical corps.

Holidays taken in Voluntering should not bo placed against service holidays allowed to Government officials. Supernumerary officers or probationers aro allowed (o work for vacancies.

Volunteer officers, militia officers, and offieovs who have served in South Africa aro to be induced to attend classes, and to go up for examination. Officers will bo kept acquainted with changes iii tactical exercises.

Increased Civilian Privileges.—Active first, line: Exemption from juries, inquests, militia, reduction. Fees: Free attendance at. technical schools. These will be largely subsidised by the Government.

Railway Passcs.--To 10 miles from a cenlro lo tlio larger towns, to enable men in suburbs and outlying boroughs to attend drills, as in most cases corps cannot be maintained in these plucos. Induce tram companies to carry men in uniform to nnd from drills and rifle ranges for ono penny any distance each way.

Registration of employers who will without prejudice givo facilities to their employees. 'To start with, I state a case: For corps that have to train in 14-day camps, that, they bo allowed off ono hour earlier for 10 niglils, and half the day on two Saturdays and two Wednesdays during the period, and the four days at Easter. Such list ot employers to bo published periodically. Mayors and heads of local bodies, chambers of commerce, labour unions, etc., could assist in this increase. Ago of enrolment to be 18. and 18 as retirement- from cadets. Institute annual or periodical competitions at various centres, willi good prizes, practically to compete with outside. Sport.—The very practising for military events will incroa.se efficiency and discipline. Grants are given for rille shooting, drill, and discipline. Should also havo grants for competition.

Establishment of reserve companies for officers and men, to be a reality, not merely a name. Formation of reserve corps may bo retrospective.

Scale of persona! payments for practical daylight parados. Bv recognising that to get clliciency all legitimate cost of the force must bo mot. by tlio Government officers and men not to bo out of pocket, as well as giving up their time, by dooming four days at Easter or other suitable time to be service under regulations, and pay according. This training to bo by battalions, or brigades. Men should sign 011 to attend theso four days, exceptional circumslanccs excepted. There is compulsory labour and other holidays. Could not Saturday of Easter or other four days suitable be inado a compulsory holiday for Volunteers to attend the training?

Should any of the coast dcfencc or field force corps not maintain their standard or fall below tho required minimum strength the Governor or the Minister may order that it be reverted to reserve corps, or order a ballot from first-class reserves in that portion of'the district to fill up the shortage.