DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14144, 2 March 1910, Page 6

DEFENCE.

THE "TERRITORIALS." "VOLUNTEERS" NO LONGER. Yesterday saw the dawn of the territorial era, the volunteer has passed away, for u new military training system has sprung up, involving important details regarding the defence of the dominion. In this connection an historic function was held at Dunedin on Monday evening and is descriptively described by a writer in the "Otago Dsiily Times" in the following words: "At midnight the most stirring of military themes "The last post," rang out, iK 'v.oiuiim.'l , ii-dy at the Garrison Hall. Flag-draped walls flung back the mui'tteu echoes and drooping banners shook as though to wave a last good-night. A, thousand men were Ptill; a thousand hearts were touched, the curtain on the stage dropped on a company in scarlet, and the great curtain of time fell on the Ist Battalion Otago Rifle Volunteers. Five minutes later reveille pealed prophetic, cheerily, triumphant, and the new Territorial Battalion had been born. The valedictory smoke social held to commemorate the passing was among the largest, most successful, and, in a way, the most striking ever held in Otago. It marked an epoch and opened a wonderful perspective of possibilities." Called on yesterday a local -volunteering authority made a statement onent the new system. From March Ist,'he said, volunteers lose their local identity, names such as "City RifWs," "Port Guards" etc. will probably pass oivay. "Territorials" will be formed in each district, to compose battalions, and each company in a battalion will be designated by a number. There are no Volunteers; each member of a company is now a Territorial; but he will, as one would naturally expect, retain his present rank, whether he be private, non-com or officer. For the first year of this Territorial system it is not necessary for the men to put in seven continuous days in camp. Of course the camp will be held, but merely on the lines of the old local camp, the regulations of which onlv compel drill in the mornings and evenings. The drill itself will be different in future. The Territorials will drill in two ranks, not in single rank as formerly. New Zealand Infantry Volunteers adopted single rank drill, as used by the mounted men, because it seemed more suitable. However at Home two-rank drill prevails, and even the lads from the Amokura, here n week or two ago, and the sailors from the cruisers, stick to that order. The Imperial Drill Book of 1905, infantry drill, contains the instructions that New Zealand's Territorials are to follow. The idea is to have all the forces in the.Empire drilling in the same style.. A meeting of the fence Council and the officer commanding the districts will be held in Wellinvton in a few days, and probably fuller information will be available after their deliberations. One point of more than ordinary importance was also briefly touched on by the officer, who said "any man who does not desire to go on can drop out now." Snenkine at the Dunedin function, Lieutenant-colonel Stoneham, said remarks had been made as to sadness. He as an officer commanding the battalion felt it was both sad and joyful— Ewl to part with the tradition of volunteering of the Ist Battalion Rifle Volunteers. There should be a feeling of joy because the past system had been an admitted failure, and was to be discarded for one which was to be a success, brought in with flying colours. Ho honed the Territorial Force would not be entirelv filled with those compulsorily-trained lads. Let them have fully trained men in the firing line and there would be plenty of volunteers.