THE TERRITORIALS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 124, 18 July 1911, Page 8

THE TERRITORIALS.

INSTRUCTION'S Foil POSTING

A memorandum lias been prepared by Lieut.-Colonel J. T. Burnctt-Stu-art, Director cf Military Operations, detailing the principles which are to govern the posting of youths to their various units. lie states at the commencement: —

The responsibilities of the posting officers will not end with the posting of individuals to units. The necessity for tapping the whole .(Dominion in such a way as to provide each soldier and cadet with an accessible centre at which to do his ordinary drills, calls for a more detailed arrangement. The internal organisation of units (and consequently the allotment of posting of individuals within units) must therefore Ire snbseryent to this condition. In the case of a force recruited under a system of universal home training this implies a territorial organisation extending down to such bodies of men, however small, as can be conveniently assembled together for the periodical performance of their drills. TRAINING THE FORCE. The training of the Territorial Force takes four distinct and progressive fore s during die year drills, half-day parades v.hole■day parades, and lira annual training in camp. The drills should ho performed by such small bodies ,as will enable attention to be given to the individual—in the mounted rifles by the troop, in the infantry by the section or squad, in the field artillery by the section, in the garrison artillery by the detachment and so on. The half-day and whole-day parades should bo performed by the larger bodies—by the half-squadron or squadron in the mounted rifles, by the half company or company in the infantry, by the battery in the field artillery, by the company in the garrison artillery. The annual training in camp should be carried out by regiments, battalions, and similar units. The drills, half and whole-day parades, have n relative value, and are convertible, but the principle laid down above ;.s chat which the organisation must he designed to serve. SENIOR CADETS. The organisation of the Senior Cadets will be governed by the same principles and considerations as these which have been discussed above as applying to the Territorial Force. The training of the Senior Cadets is equally important with that of the Territorial Force, and must he proceeded with simultaneously. It will probably be found, however, that the Senior Cadet drill-centres, being subject to like considerations, will naturally coincide with those of the Territorial Force; in any case they should bo made to do so as far as possible. Instructors will then be able in the majority of outlying centres to fit in a Senior Cadet drill with the holding of a drill for Territorial soldiers.

MAORIS. Those Maoris who have registered are to be enrolled. In districts where the native population is scattered Maoris will ho posted to squadrons and companies as individuals. In places where there arc large native settlements, or pas, Maori troops or. sections will be formed as part of the establishment of squadrons or companies. Should the number of Europeans registered be sufficient to complete the required establishment without the inclusion of Maoris, a fifth Maori troop or section should he formed extra to the establishment of the squadron or company. 7 he appointment of Maoris as N.C.O.’s and the recommendation of Maoris for commissions to serve with these extra sections or troops is left to the discretion of Commanding Officers All Maoris of the Senior Calet age will he enrolled ,posted, and trained as Senior Cadets. RELIGIOUS OBJECTOR S. In the case of certain well-known denominations, such as Friends (Quakers), the posting officers will post to non-combatant branches without further question. In any other eases, whore there is any doubt as to the autenticity of the claim, the posting officers will demand such further proof as they require. The Act provides that the burden of proving exemption—i.c., from combatant training— lies with tii© person claiming exemption; such proof would take the form of a ruling from a Magistrate’s Court or from a Stipendiary Magistrate. SAILORS. Men within the age of liability who arc continuously employed on coasting vessels or on ships plying to and from New Zealand, must register, but will not he enrolled at present. MEDICAL INSPECTION. Inspection w r as carried out briskly at the Defence Office on Friday, Saturday, and yesterday, the majority of those notified to put. in an appearance doing so. However, there are a number who failed to appear at the time stated on their post-cards, and these can, if they desire, appear for inspection at G o’clock this evening. The authorities do not desire to take ex 1.1 erne measures ia this connection a ini will not act eel',.re those who aa'o failed to appear shall have had tune to present a doctor’s certificate suown.g inability to attend or some other reasonable excuse; but if no appearance is made and no excuse is offered, it will become necessary for the authorities to institute Court proceedings. Those liable to appear would, therefore!, do well to remember that for failure to appear for inspection the Act provides a penalty not exceeding £5. Country men who have registered should remember, also, that, if they fail to present themselves at the appointed examining centre in the country, they can be

compelled to pay their own expenses to Stratford to enable the inspection to 1)0 made. Yesterday, Dr. Carbcry, who is carrying out the inspection, paid \ isits to .Midhirst and Eltham. Other fixtures arc as follows: —To-day, Midhirst; Wednesday, Midhirst; Thursday, Strathmore, Pohokura and Whangamomona; Friday, Mhaugamomona and Douglas.