The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26. THE NEW DEFENCE ACT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 298, 26 January 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26. THE NEW DEFENCE ACT.

According to the new Defence Act. its provisions are to take effect from the first of March, but it seems unlikeiy that the necessary arrangements will be completed by that time. So far the regulations under which the force' is to live and have its 'being have not made t heir appearance, and it is more than likely that too early a date was fixed to ensure the new system being smoothly initiated. With the coming into operation of the Act, the existing volunteer force will automatically become known as the Territorials—a force that in future will b t > looked upon as the "fighting' force of the dominion. There will be no compulsion as far as the volunteers are concerned, except in the cas e of men under 21 years of age. Any volunteer over 21 years of age who so desires can pass himself right out. lay aside his rifle and uniform and retire into private life, and full opportunity, it is gathered, will by given to volunteers to take whatever course they think proper—go or stay. Tf they stay they will be under stricter discipline, and th e individuality of the companies will practically cease to exist. Naturally, it will take some time to bring about such a big change, and it is not anticipated that it.will be completed uud >r six months so far as country corps are concerned, but in regard to thy volunteer corps in the centres, it is understood the change will be effected with much greater celerity. The general training section will consist of all men up to the age of 21 years. In the future the system will work automatically. Junior cadets will in turn go into the section and become subject to th e provisions regarding annual training, passing info the reserve at the age ■of 21 years. But.' at the commencement of the scheme, considerable time will elapse before the young men between the ages of IS and 21, who are neither cadets nor volunteers, have been brought under thy Act and registered, and it is unlikelv. therefore, that the general training section will be aehiall--embodied before next year. Th- publication of the regulations, which will Constitute one of the most important features of the scheme, is looked forward to with considerable interest. The advice of Lord Kitchener will no doubt be largely availed of in framing the regulations. Meanwhile, suitable areas for permanent training grounds in the North and South islands respectively ■are being selected, and as soon as selection is made the necessarv permanent structures will be erected. As to uniforms, it would appear from the statement of the 'Prime Minister that only a plain service uniform will be required, but existing corps will be permitted to retain any full-dress uniforms they may possess. The central idea, however, is ■that all the force shall wear the same uniform, with, of course, the necessary variations in regard to the requirements of infantry, mounted corps, artillery and ■jiavals; nut it is not anticipated that this absolute uniformity will i.e brought. about much under the next three years. Meanwhile, the usual capitation will be paid, so as to enable corps to discharge existing liabilities in ■regard to cost of uniforms. The new force will be under the control of the Council of Defence. Officers of volunteer corps will have the option of remaining at their present rank in charge of their sections. If they resign, tli'-y will pass into the reserve, and their places will be filled by boards of election appointed for that purpose in each district. It if, evidently the intention •the authorities to manage the forces on the battalion or regimental system, so (that' the existing corps will lose their (particular designation, and be merged in tile general body of Territorials. •The scheme provides for a territorial force' of 20,000 on a war basis. The peace strength, however, will be about 15,000, tf that" number is not reached, .-owing to defection on the .part of the existing volunteer corps, the requisite jiumbe r will be made from the general training section, consisting of young men from IS to ~ years of age. Members of the general training section will, as the term implies, be subjected to periods of training only. The Territorial*. on the oilier hand, will be regarded as the Army force, anil a course of work of an entirely different nature, and be subject to a more rigid discipline. 'Hie expenditure will be con. t.r»iled i»v a finance committee composed of <iail' officers and captains of coinpanic'-. .Much is expected of the new sthenic, but at least two or three years will elapse before its merits or demerits have mad,, themselves apparent; meantime il -iionid lie the aim of citizen to in every po-sible way in eii-uriiig for the a fair trial.