COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10404, 18 July 1912, Page 5

COMPULSORY MILITARY TRAINING.

GOST OF THE SCHEME, Per Press Association. . Wellington, July 17. The Minister for Deforce, the Bon, J. Allen, has bad compiled certain information in regard to the Defence scheme, in answer to a request made by the Anti-Militarist League Is forwarding the information the Minister statad that a return giving every item of expenditure paid out of the Defence appropriations is being prepared, and will be laid on the table of the Honse for information of members The facts compiled show that the estimated cost of the scheme for the first three years, according to the statement of the Minister for Defence in April, 1910, was £1,200,000 The estimates for the three years provided for the expenditure of £1,153,000, of whioh £90,000 has not been spent. Tbs number of officers of the Imperial General Staff and New Zealand Staff Corps is 78, and their salaries total £28,348. The amount voted lor travelling expenses for 1911-13 was £BOOO,, of which £7617 was expended. There are 13 members of the Royal New Zealand Artillery serving with the forces, and their salaries total £8975, making 3 grand salary total of £33.315 As to the personnel of the forces, the information Required shows that from the last census returns available, 27 080 persons between the ages of 18 and 31 years, and 35.698 between 14 and 19 years (making at total of 62,778) were available for military training, and the number Stable on 'coming of age this year wenid be approximately 8000 making the number liable 70,778 The total number registered up to the Bth July was 65.191, The shortage of 5587 it is explained, includes bovs attending primary schools wbo are still classed as junior cadets for training purposes. It will therefore be seen,” says the report, "that the number unaccounted for must be very email. Senior cadets are not required to 'undergo training in camp The total number of Territorials who attended camp during the last training year was 17 831, out of-a total'of 21,614 posted for 1911-13 to the Territorial force. ' The percentage of attendance was therefore 8249. ”

A REFUTATION

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received July IS, 11 a.m, London, July 17. Dr. Barrett, of Melbourne, refutes the allegations contained in a letter to the Manchester Guardian that Australia and Slew Zealand apparently do not perceive that ■ they are decoys to help Lord Roberts’ conscription scheme. Dr. Barrett asserts that Lord Roberts bad nothing to do with the establishment of compulsory ‘military service in Australia.