THE DEFENCE LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 307, 20 May 1913, Page 3

THE DEFENCE LAWS.

STATEMENT BY ACTING DEFENCE | MINISTER. J The Hon. 11. D. Bell, Acting-Minister i for Defence, writes:—As a good deal of misunderstanding is prevalent throughout the Dominion, with regard to the obligation imposed upon the citizen soldier by the terms of the Defence Act, 1 have had the following statement prepared, and would be very glad if you would be kind enough to insert it, ami draw attention, to it in. your paper. You will, I am sure, agree with me that it is advisable that the facts as regards these matters should be placed definitely before the public. , Question: Does provision exist for the Territorial Force to be carried or ordered to go out of New Zealand under the Defence Act and its* amendments? Answer: No. -See Section 22, Defence Act, 1900, quoted hereunder. (Section 22.—Any part of the Territorial Force shall be liable to serve in any part of New Zealand,' but no-part of the Territorial Force shall be carried or ordered to go out of New Zealand). _ Question: Can the New Zealand Territorial Force or part thereof be compelled to go to the assistance of Great Britain or any of the Oversea Dominions or Possessions in the event of an outbreak of war, under the Defence Act? Answer: No. Such service must be purely voluntary as in the case of New Zealand Contingents sent to Africa. Question: Does provision exist in the Defence Act for calling out the Territorial Force for service in New Zealand in time of war? Answer: Yes. The Governor has power under Sections 27 (1), 28 (1) (quoted hereunder )of the Defence Act, 1909, and under the Defence Amendment Act, 1912, Sections 16 and 71 (nuoted hereunder) of the Defence Act, training and service all eligible males between the ages of 17 and 55, who have resided in New Zealand for a period of six months. DEFENCE ACT, 1909. Section 27 (1).—All the male inhabitants of New Zealand between the ages of 17 and 55, not hereinafter exempted, who have resided in New Zealand for a period of six months are liable to be trained and serve in the Militia. Section 28 (I).—ln time of war it shall be lawful for the Governor (the occasion being first communicated to Parliament, if Parliament is then sitting, or j notified by Proclamation' if Parliament is { not then sitting) by Proclamation to I call upon persons liable to serve in the Militia to enrol in the Militia, and thereupon such persons shall within the time and in the manner prescribed enrol in the Militia for the prescribed period. DEFENCE AMENDMENT ACT, 1912. Section 16.—When the Territorial Force, or any part thereof, has been called out for Active Service in New Zealand in accordance with the provisions of this Act in that behalf, every member under the obligation of active service be Bubject to military law as established by the Army Act, save so far as that Act is inconsistent with the principal Act, or any amendment thereof, or with any regulation made thereunder. Section 71 (I).—The Governor may be Proclamation call out the Territorial Force, or any part thereof, for active service. (2) The Territorial Force, or any part thereof shall be lial)le to be employed on active service in New Zealand from the time of the publication of the Proclamation so calling' out that Force, or that part thereof, until the publication of a Proclamation notifying that the active service of that Force, or of that part thereof, is no longer required. Question: Does provision exist in the Defence Act for calling out Territorials to assist the Civil Police in quelling riots and otherwise upholding law and order? Answer: No su«h provision exists. A good deal of misconception exists as to .the number of Permanent officers and Non-Commissioned officers employed with the Citizen Forces. The following statement will be of interest in this connection, and will show how small is the proportion of the Permanent Staff to those whom they have to train:— Officers (exclusive of ten undergoing training in England or India) ' 66 Non-Commissioned Officers 205 271 Territorial Force 23,322 Senior Cadets 22,985 Attached to Rifle Clubs 4,708 51,015 One Instructor, Officer, or N.C.O. to every 188 men in citizen training. PERMANENT FORCE. 11 officers (exclusive of three undergoing training in England). 315 men. A proportion of 1 officer to every 29 men.