THE DEFENCE SCHEME

Southland Times, Issue 17003, 29 March 1912, Page 6

THE DEFENCE SCHEME

THE FUTURE OF RIFItE CHUBS. AS SECOND DINE OF DEFENCE. (Per United Press Association). • WELLINGTON. March ”8. In a memorandum just issued, Colonel nobin. Adjutant-General, slates that, judging by Hie results of the medical examination of recruits last year, it is expected that about a per cent, will be found totally - unfit. About 00 per cent. \vill be posted to the Territorial force, and 00 pci 1 cent, to Rifle Clubs. Regavding the new Rifle Club scheme. Colonel Robin states that the system oi making use of Rille Clubs is designed to avoid the multiplication of divisions of the force, ami to place the defence force; of New Zealand in two categories in their relation to Raining and defence of the Dominion. The first line will be the Territorial force and the Territorial reserve. and the . second line the Rifle Clubs and training sections affiliated to Rille Clubs, it must bo borne in mind that very shortly all young men posted to form Rifle Clubs will have undergone drill and training between the ages of M and IS as senior cadets. Drill in Rifle Chibs will thus ho of a refresher character only. and. in view of that, al! will be drilled and practised In musketry to a stale of individual efficiency sufficient to enable them to be drafted into the active ranks of the force to fill vacancies or augment the same should necessity arise.' Rifle Clubs will bo given a place and function in (lie defence schemes and their movement in time of necessity will he provided for in mobilisation.' Instruction of Dominion clubs already existing will continue, and he governed by the rules and regulation.'; already in existence. Where no clubs exist the men available will be posted and given a Rifle Club designation. Only thoflo men who by May .’H next have reached the age of IS and are.not required for the Territorial force will he posted to Rille Clubs in Ibis and each succeeding year. The system is in no way retrospective. The regulations governing Rifle Clubs are published. •WITHOUT AN IMPRINT. A PASSIVE RESISTER FINED. AUCKLAND, March 28. A young man who wore the badge of the Passive Resistors’ Union, and discoursed glibly but rather poindessly on the right of free speech, was charged at the Police Court this, morning that on February Till lie published a paper, headed "Down with Conscription,” on which the name and place of the printer wore not printed. The accused pleaded not guilty; but. when informed that distributing the circular meant in terms of the Act "publishing" It, he admitted the offence.

His Worship said he was sorry the provisions of the Act were so drastic, as the offence was committed in ignorance. The Act provided for a minimum fine of £7, a maximum of £2O. The printer was the person to blame, as lie undoubtedly knew the Act, and left the imprint out to shield himself from proceedings under the Defence Act. The minimum fine of £7 and costs would be imposed.