NEW DEFENCE ACT

Southland Times, Issue 14371, 18 March 1910, Page 5

NEW DEFENCE ACT

PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS. AND FUTURE INTENTIONS. The following instructions, with regard to the Defence Act, 1009, have been issued for the guidance of all concerned by the Officer Commanding the Otago District : During the year 1910-11 the Defence Forces are to be regarded as in a state of transition. MOBILE FIELD FORCE. The Territorial Force in each District is to be organised into Brigades, Regiments and Battalions as far as local conditions admit. One Mounted Rifle Brigade of 2 or 3 Regiments and Headquarters. One Mounted Signalling Company. One Mounted Supply Column. One Mounted Field Ambulance. One Field Artillery Brigade and Ammunition Column. One Field Engineer Company. One Infantry Brigade of 3 or 4 Battalions and Headquarters. One Infantry Signalling Company. One Infantry Supply Column (mixed). One Field Ambulance. OFFICERS. First Appointments will be made on the recommendation of a Board of Selection, consisting of the Officer Commanding the District, and Officers Commanding Corps. Promotions will be submitted to the Promotion Board. The Active List will be abolished, the officers being transferred to a Reserve of Officers. TERRITORIAL FORCE. For the present the Territorial - Force may be recruited only up to the establishment of the old Volunteer Force. Service Dress only may be obtained for recruits. Training will be as hitherto with the exception that Infantry Corps and the Cycle Corps will train in Camp for a period, of seven days, night and morning only, unless volunteering to remain in camp during the day, when personal allowances will be granted under General Order 59, paragraph 5, dated 11th February, 1910. The possibility of Training at Easter by Battalions or Companies should be considered. REGULATIONS. The General Regulations, 1906, will be adhered to when not in conflict with the provisions of the new Act, until New Regulations have been issued. DEFENCE CADETS AND RESERVE CORPS. "Whether the provisions of Section 38 (1) of the Act will be enforced as laid down has not been decided with reference to independent Companies, and will probably be determined on the recommendation of Officers Commanding Districts. High School Battalions will be retained. The future organisation of the Senior Cadets other than these will be in separate Companies. Cadets may be permitted to hold Camps as hitherto until March 31st, 1910. GENERAL TRAINING SECTION. Registration of Youths liable to serve may possibly be postponed for inclusion in the Census next year, but it is probable that a preliminary registration will take place. One Camp will be formed in each Island. , Individual training only will be undergone, men being available for service with the Territorial Unit of the area from which they are drawn, if required. The training is expected to commence in about one year’s time. It will be carried on during six months of each year, men being allowed as far as possible to attend for such a period of fourteen days, as will least interfere with their employment. the AGE PCS COMPULSION. KITCHENER SUGGESTS EXTENSION. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Mar. 17. The “'Post” states that Lord Kitchener has impressed upon the Government the expediency of extending the age up to which compulsory service may be enforced to 25 years. It is understood that the Government has not yet fully considered the matter with a view to taking definite action.