POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 22, 18 September 1912, Page 5

POLITICAL.

NEWS AND NOTES. Tho Defence Bill is now undergoing final revision, and the Hon. Jas. Allen (Minister for Defence) hopes to submit it to tho House of'Representatives' this week. ' It is understood that tho present system of compulsory military parades, so far as it concerns tho country districts, is to be materially altered. In theso districts men will be allowed to substitute for twentyweek night drills four extra days in camp immediately before tho regular camp. No pay. will bo given on these extra days "The enrolled strength of tho Territorial Force: is 25,000, and it is proposed to increase it. to 30,000,"' said the Hon. J. Allen, Minister for Defence, discussing the Defence Estimates on Saturday morning. In older to carry out.the scheme that men should keep, up their national training, who were not required for the Territorial Force, the men not needed to keep the force up to the establishment would be drafted to rifle clubs.

According to the "Dominion," the development of the Government programme for the present session has lirought a great deal of work into view, and some members have been led to predict that as a result the prorogation of Parliament would probably be delayed until tho early part of November. Well-informed Government members consider, however, that the session will probably end about the middle of October. They poinj:. out that although there is a lot of work to be done a good rate of progress has been maintained and seems likely to continue