THE DEFENCE FORCES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 6

THE DEFENCE FORCES.

By Sentry

From the latest issue of the Gazette; sth Mounted Rifles (Htago Hussars): Second Lieutenants T. R. Mitchell and A. Slingcr, to bo lieutenants; No. 2 Company New Zealand Engineers: Lieutenant R. N. Vanes resigns; 4tii (Otago) Regiment: Oaptain S. U. Neill resigns, Lieutenant J. L. Saunders transferred to the Ist (Canterbury) Regiment; Bth (Southlland) Regiment: Second Lieutenant G. U. M’Kenzio, transferred to the Unattached List (b) for service with Senior Cauets ; ICtli (North Otago) Regiment: Second Lieutenants J. S. Bain and F. Mackenzie, to bo lieutenants; 14th (South Otago) Regiment: Lieutenants J. M. Shanks and J. Steven rtsig'fi. Sergeant L. G. Wilson to* Ire second lieutenant (on probation); the Rev. H. Packe and the Rev. J. Perkins to’ be chaplain’s. Only one Territorial now remains in the “detention barracks” at Taiaroa Heads. The others, having completed their terms in a satisfactory manner, have resumed their civil duties. The young man remaining, who has a fairly long term to complete, lias become to a certain extent disaffected by the attitude of the Ripa Island “ martyrs.” Until word of their heroics reached him this Territorial, who is a Socialist, and docs not allege religious scruples as an objection to service, was doing his military training in barracks without a murmur. Then he declined to do military work. He has since been kept at fatigue duty, to which lie has offered no objection. Last week an official representative of the local branch of the Peace Society sought permission to visit the barracks, and was offered every facility by Colonel Bauchop. Major Dodds, Officer Commanding the Otago Division, New Zealand Government Artillery Territorials, has, owing to the resignations of Sergeants Facer and M'Crcadie, notified the following promotions: —Corporals O’Connell and Connoi, to acting sergeants: Bombardier Wilson, to acting corporal; Gunner Stevenson, to acting bombardier. Efficiency badges have been issued, 55 having qualified in gun laving, 23 as marksmen, 5 in signaling, 3 D.Jt.F., 3 engine-driving, and 2 in electric lighting. Gunners E. J. M’Donald, J. Mains, and D. Hat land get the badges for the most i fficient gunner in the 6-inch, 12pr. Q.F.. and 6 pr. Q.F. sections respectively. An energetic committee has been appointed to carry out the annual ball, which is to be hold oil the 15th of August. The secretary, with his usual courtesy, has forwarded an invitation, for which thanks. "Tile programme for the 54th prize, mooting of the National Rifle Association of New South Wales is now available. This meeting grows in importance. The prize money has been increased to £6OOO. including £ICCO for the King's Match, and £BOO for the Longfield aggregate. The meeting will bo hold on the Randwick range from October 8 to 18. Deposits on entries are tine on September 8. 'lho Crown Law Officer lias been asked to advise whether a Territorial who lias to close has shop or place of business in order to proceed to camp for annual training can be transferred to a Deft nee Rifle Club Instead of applying to a magistrate for exemption.—The answer is in the negative. Ihe women of England are working hard for compulsory training fur men from 18 to 21 ’ —so runs an entry in the diary of ft Dunedin young lady, wln-e observations during a trip to Europe have i>: on communicated. to the Clulha Leader. ” I wont to a mooting las; night < n compulsory training, etc.,” she writes. “It. was awfully interesting. but it strikes mo that we colonials are better aware of the necessity of being ‘ quite prepared ’ for war. In England it scents to He quite a general opinion that, as England has always 'wine off best,’ it will ever be ,-o. My word, when we hear some of the strong argument* and .speeches on Eng’and’.s unpreparedness it makes one’s blood run cold. This was a women’s me< ting. but a man spoke. The Empire Day meeting nr Queen’s Hail was awfully interesting. as Lord Charles Beresfurd was in the chair, and the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie spoke, a- ! so representatives from all England's colonies. Lord Be ret; ford is a wonderful old man, and such a favourite. He spoke splcndidiv. and got a huge reecntion. Tho Hon. W. \V att. Premier of Victoria, also spoke. Ho is absolutely fine, lias a great flow of language, and is a marvellous speaker. I’ve never heard such patriotism, lie voiced the feelings of all Australasians m every word he said, and when ho had finished it seemed as if the audience would never stop applauding.’’