DOMINION DIFENCE FORCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3018, 17 January 1912, Page 32

DOMINION DIFENCE FORCE.

BEGINNING OF TRAINING. WELLINGTON, January 15 The training of the Territorial Forces and Senior Cadets throughout the Dominion begins generally this week. To correct any impression which may exist in the minds of some persons that a whole year's training will be expected of the force during the remainder of the training year ending 31st of May, it may b© explained, said General Godley, Commandant of the Forces, to a reporter today, that this will not be the case. Only the proportion of the year's drills and exercises will be expected up to that date. Thi 6 means that the Territorials will undergo two whole days, or four half-day parades, 12 evening drills, and the prescribed course of musketry for those who were in the force last year. The recruits will undergo elementary musketry training, but will not be required to do actual range practices. In addition to that there i 6 the week's camp for Territorials. Artillery camps will begin in February. Many of the infantry regiments will camp by or before the end of March. The mounted rifles will camp chiefly in April and May. In each military district the camps are being arranged to suit, as far as possible, the local conditions for the majority. "The department," added General Godley, "looks upon the training of the Cadets as being the most important factorin the future success of the new scheme. The training of this section of the new Defence Force will also begin this week. It may be just as well to emphasise the fact again that the Cadets will not be required to go into camp. All that is required of the Cadets is 17 drills and two half-day parades between now and end of May, and the prescribed course of musketry, as far as it is possible to carry it out. We want some more Cadet officers, remarked the commandant, "and officers commanding districts will be glad to hear of any suitable ex-officers or qualified persons who are willing to become Senior Cadet officers." General Godley added that he regarded the registration of both Territorials and Senior Cadets as being eminently satisfactory. Only 53 out of a total of 63,778 were known not to have registered in the first instance, and practically all of those had since entered their names. Uniforms for both Territorials and Senior Cadets are now being issued, and will be supplied to all the members of the force as fast as possible. It must be remembered, however, added the commandant, that the supplying of so large a number of uniforms in such a short space of time at the initiation of the new scheme is a great strain on*lhe resources of the contractors for supplying clothing and equipment. In view of thi 6 difficulty all members of the force must not expect to be immediately uniformed. The supplies are now coming well to handj and with the exercise of a little patience the force will be duly uniformed.