THE DEFENCE FORCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16663, 7 April 1916, Page 91

THE DEFENCE FORCES

Br Skktei. So far very fow of tho Government armlets aro noticeable amongst the youn;; men on the streets. As a 'matter ot fact, not many more than 100 have been issued from the local Defence Olfiee. Applications, liowt ever, are beginning to come in in increasing numbers. Tho need for eligible men to make it clear that they have offered for service is now imperativo ifvthey are to retain tho respect of their fellows. There are those who have declared that they will not wear a badge. To such it may bs pointed out that the purpose of the armlet-wearing is not merely to indicate that the wearer has recognised his duy, but also to indicate and isolate the shirker, who has not qualified for tho armlet. Has it occurred to those who may decline to wear tho badge that thereby they are shielding tho shirker? Then, why anathematise him, and, at tho same moment, help him to hide his skulking-? Whilst the badges aro not worn, the man who won't fight for his country, his kith and kin, cannot be distinguished from many who have offered their services. But, let tho badge-wearing be regarded as a duty by every man qualifying, and the shirker will stand revealed, a fit subject for the scorn of his fellow-men and the contempt of his womenfolk. t It is time the skulker was made to feel something of the contempt which at present is privately entertained for him. The Colonial Auxiliary Forces Longservice Medal has been awarded to Corporal John Stewart (band), Bth (Southland) Regiment, his total service to February 22, 1916, being 24 years and 354 da.ys, From the New Zealand Gazette: —sth Mounted Rifles: Second-lieutenant A. R. Douglas, from the 10th Regiment, to be second-lieutenant, supernumerary to establishment; 12th Mounted Rifles: W. A. Spiers, J. D. Landels, W. J. Keys, C. F. Lucas, to be second-lieutenants (temporary) during the absence of officers with the N ( ew Zealand Expeditionary Forces; 10th Regiment: Second-lieutenant (on probation) 1\ li. Robertson, from the Unattached List (b) to bo. second-lieutenant (on probation); 14th Regiment: H. Muir, J. Steven, T. D. PCarson, J. R. O. Lochhead, A. J. Thompson, A. F. Duthie, to be seco-nd-lieutenants (temporary) during tho absence of officers with tho New Zealand Expeditionary Forces.

The sth Mounted: Ilifies (Otago Hussars)

and tho Mounted Signal Troop from Oamaru make an impressive show in camp at Wingatui. Squadrons comprising- the sth Mounted Rifles have .provided a muster of 223, and the camp roll-of the Mounted Signal Tuoop ia 19. Lieutenant-colonel G. W. C. Macdonald is in command, Sergeant Meikle having command of the ; SignaJj Troop. . The knowledge, that a shooting practice was to be the climax of_ their training this year caused certain moclificaions in B. Battery's camp syllabus, which had been framed upon a model provided by headquarters. Attention was concentrated upon making the men, who were mostly recruits, as efficient as possible in gun drill, laying, fuse-setting, etc.,, in preparation ior their lirsfc shooting ordeal. Instead of having certain men trained as gunners, aiid others as drivers, specialists, etc., there was an interchanging of duties, with, a view to maiking every man capable for the duties of any department, inevitably, this arrangement was responsible for some fun with reoruits on horseback for the first time. In conscquence of tho adoption of these ' methods, very good results were achieved in tho 12 days'\camp. AH things considered, the shooting was very creditable,' the men being very steady under firing conditions. Although the range was fairly short, the target was rather difficult, for the reason that it had to be placed upon the face of a steep hill, and this made observation for the purpose of determining the range very awkward. In connection with the shoot, the battery is under a debt of gratitude to Mr Irishman, of Silverstrcam Valley. He not only gavo permission to i shoot on his property, tout made special rangiements to muster his sheep and. thus clear the ground. Further, on the day of tho shoot, he! thoughtfully Bent along a sack of apples. The extra three days m camp were availed of for the purpose of getting the men through the musketry course Only for a few hours of one day did the. weather discourage outdoor work. Reveille was at 5.30 each day. After boot and saddlo came parado at 6.15, and different squadrons having physical drill, rifle exercises, semaphore, etc., until 7.10, after which came stables, followed bv breakfast at 8 a.m. and parade from 9 to 1 12. In the afternoon there wag more drill, and occasionally in tho evening there was a lecture. The coffee provided at night in the C.E.M.S. by the Rev. Mr Petrie was greatly appreciated by the men on picket duty.' An improvement in tho A.S.O.'s department suggested; itself—i.e., tihe securing of perishable supplies from tho nearest suitable vendor, and tho providing of butter cloth to cover tho meat and protect it from dust. _ . The man who enlists without serious intention of going to the front, his design being to secure a badge in order that he may pose as one who lias enrolled and is awaiting tho calling u-P of his reinforcements, will find definite discouragement on tho part of the authorities. The principle that is being followed' is that no man shall receive a khaki badge with the red crown unless he is proceeding to camp within three months. , . As'a provision against tho wearing of badges by persons not entitled to do so, it is provided that each badgo wearer must carry tho official card declaring his right to wear the badge, and must, on the request of any military officer or constable, produce tho card for inspection. In answer to inquiry.—Because a man is less, than sft 2m in height enlistment ,is not hopeless. The medical man has a certain discretionary power, and l may pass a short man if he is otherwise a good " life." A man under sft 2in, however, would probably bo" regarded as suitable only for service as driver in the Army Service Corps or the artillery, both of which are full for some time to come. A man minus one or more fingers need not despair. If ho demonstrates that his deficiency does not seriously impair his efficiency, ho may be accepted, or, may bo, deferred for three or six months, the policy of tho department being to send all the fittest men first, and 1 then turn to those next in order of merit in regard to fitness. Unfortunately for the man who has offered and has been " deferred " for a period, a badge is not available. Another to whom an armlet is not issued is tho married man who intimates his willingness to go to camp after the single men have been absorbed. This class represents probably about 75 per cent, of the married men who have recently enrolled in Dunedin. Non-commissioned officers accompanying reinforcements hold acting rank only, and are liable to revert to tho ranks at tho discretion of the G.O.C. upon absorption into tho Main Body at tho front. Men who are sent to camn as non-commissioned officers on probation for the reinforcements receive Territorial rates of pay as privates for the period of probation, but if, on tho expiration of the probationary month, tho acting non-commissioned officer rank is confirmed, th<jy receive back pay at the difference between private and their noncommissioned offioer rank at Territorial rates for the first month—i.e., in the case of a sergeant, difference between 4s and ss. After the expiration of tho first month expeditionary rate for rank is payable. Back pay, of course, is not payable to a private who is nromoted.