National Defence.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14153, 12 March 1910, Page 2 (Supplement)

National Defence.

3LO-RD KITCHENKII'S REPORT. APPEAL TO NATIONAL PRIDE. TRAINING FROjI 12 TO 25 YEARS. Th following is a copy of parts of Field-jlarchal Sjord Kitchener's Australian report, which is embodied in .'lis report furnished to the Nov/ Zealand Ciivcrnuient on tlie defence of the Dcgminion. INTRODUCTORY. It is on uxlt'ui iu-til by tho British Government that tho Empire's exist<nae dep-amls primarily upon the maintenance ol ach'iuau'' and etiicient naval forces. A.-i lony; as this condition is i'uilillad, and c.3 ion!/; as British superiority at a is ensured, than it ' is an accepted principle slwt no jJritisli dominion can lie successfully and permanently conquered hy an organised invasion from oversea. ivr.t in applvin;* th is prim-iplo to Australasia, consideration:; of t;:no and yp.-u-e cannot he disregarded. Tlie conduct of a war de-.ii nd;i upon the calculated and proper combiwation or naval, military, and (dip! oisatie iore-as, and it is cpiite conceivable that in the fitlsjy. as in the par.;, national considerations may require the <•<«!•. : ;:tretion of British liaval forces in ■ no i r ether theatre or oponit hue-;. ddlov.s that in seas remote irom sueh :« conefnfcratioii the Brili/.ii naval i iv;s may iind themeeh i*i! l : i;r tin' i.e;st iuierior in force I .'.ln suck a :=i i:. a u i..a;e;h our ul ti--I!at:> a a: o; ! . •; a: ly at aea ,a;_;ht not be i\ i l .;:' t li a ei doubt, same time c the sea wr.-; ':i :i i! ■;■■ a; aired in all waters. Jt, tlie-e'':.:e, !i lie.' duty of all solffiovorn'ir; i'o provide a military feiee adea.;aio no' only to deal pr«n>:'il,v wi'Ji any attempt at inv.". i'■;i, bar ak:> to ensure local safety and uubHr until our superiority «t a: a I;;;., liocii decisively and * r this svar.on k !v.-i n ; ;;rcctl that the jlome to:\as ei the tinted .ivinedora 5:10:1k: la- ;o as to compel an enemy content:!-, tine; a:i invasion to make the ;\t ay.,.n .aid: a scale as to he unable X i> c-.-:;iU> «a:r naval forces. I'he same ; aeeiy to Aiir.tr:;]as:a, and ii.: laud i'.raes should he calculated and or;;;ai:: cd on tiiis basis. )n 1 at: matin,' tue. strength ei' the land ior..e.i ne-vssary to meet this reciuircmer.u three principal factors Ehoald in' can:.idcred : —(a! Tito preat ocean instances -.-.'hi: I: lie henveen Ai:stralia aed tile territ.ry cf any possii.'e euoi.uas. (hi The armed streimth ami pmver 1 -s.nnwh'tloii over sea or a::y ooueaivahlj he=.;d!e nation. . . . (c) The vast c:-:tent and railway communication of tho Australian Contilient. . . . FOaCii RKQriRKD BY AUSTRALIA. 1 tie report : rites that Australia, reitn a poi)ulat:on of -!. V millions, of y.diom l.'j oellie'is are males of a iigh!:2ur. r should have an ar;y.ed force of SO.!It K). a lid ;'::es <,; i to recommend tho C"| uipmcn t and taa.pdna; of various branches in the:j' diie piajrjortious. 1 he for-aes slu ;dd ho orpanir.eri :k — Qhv enty-oiie hri;;ades of 4 pad;—' : j lsaUali; "'s of inj'anti'y. I'ivcnty-oipit reyiiiic-nts of l:p;ht horse. Foidy-nina i'-rtj.-.vnsi held batteries, and s?v. 'i i'i irr-;;i:ii i.a:: vy and iun\ it::er hai-ter-aa, tho vir le totadiinc y 1 1 !'.s. fh \a. :i communiaa lion cai; d I-!- he!:; cempanie'; i-f tneineers. De-r.ari:;'-o'v:al troops to he provided in r.reperilou. '.fho ena.ee and war esia'dishir.ents of i'mhs. rani", and. file, may he. for peace f ad. war strength respi'etivoly—l'at- ' ■ 1 i ■ I!ei')—led], reyiment of iiabt Lena' 9.-;!)—iVc, battery ] CO — e:d a el:ah aaui g v.ar.dd eo fo::u,d trom e M).': ! taaiued saidiara. a.ud t:ie a!;;e i,, !; a t-o war estadjlis'ii-i'.u.'nb will bo provided hy the acldiiion,.of v,ho recruits and the iron. The B''.'.of. 1 :1 would comprise 03.010 liifsmtry, J.'r'ht Hors73oo Ari.illory; niv:; f .7 ex. t !!■;»■: o ihi're rJiould be G f .?■'>') ivi'rn r '' f c\\r.-:ys m*:d v.fciu'its. Can; i:\ rr:A 19 to 50 yo;i;« :"t h's cfn.!utod in the t'» he ".'Olhl .''i.r, Tl.f; r:\yr,:—Wliilo tl:c Cr-i'-t ir::;:i:;::-; v:i'i::)lilt* j«s a pre«;itr:i: crtnv !'; r-\ irv < *;iii:t.7l rc^lneo 1111:;r;'Action <.i tin a n' l r'du'.d cit 'a.en S'>l r 1 :! ; ti) <• I'ilcv.-ni: shmild ho :ii c;- :-y, an;::;-i!iy, (iLlu'rwise V"■!,(' to 1 jf*. 1110 j* xi lii':: <'i v/urkiMf.: V:\ \ snv.l :: 1 (M'dtM's. j;\:r lliis i'' : - '--i! >■' to tl"' : 1T"! ' L: Li!:!;; (is' tlic; I»y IJIO coiK:;i icus ( \' - yivi! r.;.'. llvj tr.ihsiii'x in pe;.. : : i ■! f ' 11 r i: o!' si?: cic;\i' t'r.yy, ;<;; ■:;; ■) 1 ]y. ' !;nl, ;r. iroT'.l Jl 3 [(i])d:iy -•'» il >'xi:ii".\->y in addition to 1 r.rn of opinion ji iid.iy ir'i;i;,cd iind-j;* thoi'Oufridy # o!iiii.s wi\[ up to the twentvviU'i y« :\r. tiio Uvv.ti ty-fii Hi ;ind iv.-cn: iv i;uistor pp.rude by lay.* ov.-r uir.l jihovo homo t?->«:nin 12; ud. —.•'(»!• Jiiiiit;;' Cv.dcis (jU in I-I y.V:!-..), iL,'.') hour:'--; Vov V:ii.*»r ■[' : 1 ( .h- t' l ' ye;i I';;!. 'JHUiVlllf-iri, to .!'> d;:ys; re.-'i'ido trnining H 8 to 19 > !••••, l(j d,!i v.;, («i:d:t of to ho in ciiirip: .<;.»!diors MU to 2U year::), 1 in ra;..p: L ; ;-j 'J-> ;/«,yi\ a vent' in fi'.iiip : ('-•/ t'j yciirt;). muster pnrn.tlt! cfd,. ; riiif';' 'iviiieJi tliey wdl ho availuble V.'.i T i'ATnioric vi^v;. Hii' ■ ■■ r ; r(. ir:>pvr>'tive princiiila for J;. 10 ,VV :il ' " ;I ' v 1 -dniiMouico of these is 1.ha.l "ia:e i:a;:rai as a whole alio;dd uiie ri!';;a o:sa t:au desb-oed far wa:r jmrimes only, and provide th-; means for prope'dy ednca-t-ny-. ia-aiainy, and efjubpiii}.; their oih ara and irrn. I'nless these re(puia ;ae be ;aei;, no military scheme can bo da vised which ivill be other than an i'lu a. 11 and a source of wasto ol puhla: ii;a-!a. '1 lie saeond principle for a Buceessnf o:ti::cn .J<irc;j is ;•* com;dement of tin first. i a a 1, rre liiust be an inieaoaa portion of the national lii'e. The citizer: should bo baouyht i;p from boyhood t< 1: if ii: forward to t!ie day v.dieii lie will he cnndlod lit, to defend his country and ho should he accustomed to practise those habits of self-denial, of devotion to and emulation in the execution of his duty, of reticence, and ol prompt obedieueo to lawful authority winch are c-aential to the formation ol patriot!': and cijieient citizen soldiers ,rhe::o considerations show how comph lely a citizen force should ha kepi outside party politics. Political feeling in an army is always a serious drawback to ('• hr-ieacy. mid mav become a dancei to tho Sta ta. lhaa-uits s'aould he drawn impartially from tho whole of the commuuitv. and upon din manner in which the reciprocal obligations of the nation to the force, am! if the citizen soldiers to the imtion . o hrauaht homo to the cities, towns and rslnres, will denend the firmed sirens Ii «.f the eonnti-v in-:::-7:t;Ti',ATfON. ' Tiie applica! aiii of ti-.eso pi'inciple. c mtails a and thorough registtati. n of tl!!>_ yontlis of the 'country, and tho Hfk»p-»o;i of a system wherebv tha.so moving from era' part of tlu country to another will ho traced and rf-ouircd to continue their training. The nu •ation of exemptions will Tilsr r.vise, and in this there are. T tliinl;. tire, broad ;;i:idai;: factors: (a) that the Wiiifaro of tl:o family sliould not be

prejudiced; (b) that tha State should get the best men available. Factor (a) points to the exemption of theso who are the sole or main support of their family, such as the only or eldest son of a widow, or of a man who is himself incapable of earning a livelihood for those dependent upon him. Factor (b) demands the exclusion from the citizen forco of all criminals, and should restrict the selection of tho annual quotas to those males who are physically the fittest of their year, and, therefore, the most eligible for the honour of serving their country. This question will, no doubt, as necessity arises, he fully considered by the Government. ORGANISATION BY "AREAS." In my judgment the only way to ; satisfactorily organise and train a citizen force of the naturo about to be ; created in Australia is to divide the I country into areas from which the national force will be drawn. Each area should bo designed to provide a definite proportion of a fighting unit, i and should be in charge of a thorough,ly trained permanent instructional : officer, assisted by one or two non- ! commissioned officers. By this means | u trained officer will be supplied to live permanently amongst- a definite number of the citizen force, whose military proficiency will entirely depend en his efforts to assist them in home training:, as well as in maintaining tha military spirit of self-denial and esprit de corps amnnixst, not only those who are under training, but also the whole community. Ho will be thus readily available on all occasions to assist both officers nad men in his area in their endeavour to render themselves efficient defenders of their country, and when the unit that he has trained joins its battalion, and the battalion its brigade, each will vie with the other, and in this way promote a healthy spirit of emulation and competition in tho force, which will fi ster and entourage true and real efneioney. Tho estimation of tho good services of these officers themselves will depend upon the comparison between tile units provided by the various areas. It is obvious that tho extent of the "area" which can be satisfactorily trained by an instructional -officer wiil depend upon the density of the population. and, therefore, upon tho time taken for the officer to reach the places where the soldiers assemble for home training; as r.pncrtunity offers. It is also necessary to iix tho relation of the "arer."' to tile unit of the force, and for this ournnse X have taken the infantry bnntahon as the standard to g'-vcrn nil estimates. Tho whole sue-ce.-'S of toe citi.ien lorco depends upon tne t]ioro;-;:hne.:3 and amount of the homo training under the area- officer. The ureas should be? laid out under the truiihn.'j priiyiplo that each area produces it: definite quota of the force, and is tne sole charge of cue permanent officer. THE AREA OFFICER. J the duties .of an officer in charge : of an area- would include:— i , («> Tho inspection of tho Junior C'adcrs training in the schools, j (b) The organisation and training of tho Senior Cadets. " (ct 'the enrolment, equipment, and training of the adult from 13 to 10 years of afro. Hie equipment, organisation, and training or the trained soldiers from , 111 to -Jo years of age. ! . ( e ) The supervision of the registra- ; t.-ou of all male inhabitants under the ' Act. 1 J'' - 1 maintenance- of lists cf males , -*> years of age who have just , como-ete:! their training. ! Communication to ether areas of all ciianges of residence of men undo:; training, with particulars of their : military proiicioucy. 1 (iii la - 1 ' 1 .:r" ; : ; !i rr-yria-ii: ir the numbers, residence, and clnssi-ieaiian or the 1; TV.') I". !£'!! lil TiViMiS. J'.jld th' k iMSL'.iion and ]::a;r.:L-:uir.co of riiio club;;. (:> A t-!or;;u<di v.'ith the inhiJr.lnuts of his area. _ln nil those n:attr>r:>. :w.t registration and oni'olifieiiL. he bo assisted ny tho oineers ct tho citizen forces , of the area. j Detailed instructions fcr the guidance of area ol'lkvrs should ba drawn up, and should : lis::- ochc-r thani's require a monthly statement from each area- of the progress made in registration, enrolment, organisation, equipment, and heme training of the citizen lorees under his charge. Tho essential iniixirtan-'o . f there duties to tho nation will 7:ial;e tiie area officers the ■ alp i'svn force. whore l Ll 1' P'i li t !I".'-'S 101* V'T.r i ! cluc-ily depend open tne cducati-"n and training received i:i the "area.'' I'r.rlcr this system it is evident that tha rcsnonsibiiiies of the area officer will make it a national ncessit'- that lie should be a cnrefr.ilv ssa-cted man, thoroughly grounded and trained in his proicr •;..!>>, and scien fificaily educated. >"» racial cansidrrnti--us, inihience, r.otliing Out cfiiciem-y should bo allowed to a.fle-t tho selection and promotion of tlieso oihccrs. Their work Should bo judged by results alone. Tiie selerrioo .sou eue.cmnou or suitable men for theso instructional duties will tints bo tho foundation of a sufficient citison lorce. They should be taken young, given a complete military education calcalatud to make them good leaders, strict disciplinarians, and thoroughly competent officers—brought up to realise that their career depends upon their ability to do their duty, and on that alone. in the Lnired States of America the military eo liege of V, est Point sets an example in a severe and thoroughly military training imposed by a democratic government, and I should adt vise that Australia, can only expect to ; produce officers of the tyoo required by j the establishment of a military college i similar in ideals, it' not altogether Tn practice—for that will vary with national characteristics —to "West ' STAFF CORPS. Point. Ihe area officer should have reasonable prospects of promotion, and there must be systematic supervision of his , work. For these reasons I have already ! advised that over every ten areas a supervision officer bo appointed, who 1 "///'hi 111 war time become the staff ! officer of the infantry brigade drawn | from his group. Officers will be wanti eel for the central administration, and : for tho permanent troops. My recommendation is that a staff corps be formed, to provide the officers for nil tnese requirements. This staff corps should bo entirely drawn from the college, .and its members . should further be sent abroad to study . and be attached to tho other land . forces of tho British Empire, so that an officer of this staff corps would be the equal, if not superior, in military : education to the officers of any army m the world. , rj -! 16 then goes on to state the ; stair officers required for the Austra- • lxan force, and proceeds: If men of the right stamp are to be - attracted to tne corps the pav of each rank must be good, and in this connection it must be remembered' that the circumstances of an officer's serj vices prevent, and rightly so, his participating in commercial ventures Fo- , the Staff Corps to be successful it's ; officers must concentrate all their energies on their profession, and their pav should, therefore, be sufficient not only for their keep while serving, but also to ensuye to them a comDetenco vdien retirod. In view of these con- : ditions, I recommend tho following rates of pay per annum, with tha proviso that in each rank a compulsory deduction should bo made, sufficient to .•issitre an ndeciuat© provision for maintenance on retirement i —Colonels, £BO9 to £900: Lt.-Coloncls, £7OO to £800; i Majors, £'oso to £650: Captains. £375 ,to £'lso; Cubalt-ern, £250 "to £350.

j MILITARY COLLEGE. 1 Tho organisation cf a .Military College for Australia, providing a. three years' course for 109 cadet students is ntxt dealt with. The ;ige of entry should be juit less than 17 ik-s more than 19 and candidates should be selected from the best of the senior cadets, by the officer or the area. A cadet having joined the college, his parents should pay £BO per annum for board and lodgings, boots, clothing, equipment and instructions, except in the case of a cadet obtaining a scholarship. of which there should be twenty ( for the whole college. | . During tiie course, the cadet must j bo kept! Under strict discipline and j taught to keep himself physically and i mentally fit. Any cadet unlikely to • make an efficient officer or lacking | the personality necessary to influence I asMl command men, should be removed. ; On the completion of his course at. the : college the cadet should be given his ; commission nnd sent either to India for a winter training (October to April) or to the 1 nited Ivingdoin for a summer training (April to October) as an attached officer to a British regiment. I On his return he should do one year's ; duty under tho best instructional offi- : cer available in an area, in order to , learn how best to conduct registration ; and to promote home training in the area. Ho should then be fully eauable ; to take over charge of an area, j the cost of such a college when in full working order will he £15.000. Any | political interference with the management of such an institution, in which disciplinary training firms a:i impor- . taut part and flic efii.-ieney of which ; is so essential to the defence of Australia, should be sirictl- avoided. _ TirlK CITIZEN OFFICER. Y» hilo the staff corps will provide the trained instructdr.-;, the leadership of tne units of tiie citizen force will depend oil tiie citizen otlieer, and it is is therefore all important that lie should oo 'll tiie most orom i - o :g materi.'.l available, chosen young, and tielecthis capacity for leadership and I military knowledge, and devotion to j duty. Every opportunity must 1)3 j taken to etuieate Inm m tiie soarj ir.oinenls of his civil busiiio-s. ar.l accordingly means of instruction .should be , available at or near his home. Once ! selpcied, tho wcliare of thy force re- ; qi,ires tnat officers should ; oovo more coiuinuously and for longer periods tka.i their men and in this wnv ropnv t':e nation for the trns: reoosed iii tiiem. A consideratien of ih. : se r>'ouiremonts leads to the conclusion that: (a) The citi.ien nry-pein-ed as early as nossihlc in his miiitarv career, so that ho lr.av ::r the uro-t iv-i-rplive timo of his hi'e stiidv his duti's as an officer and develop his qualifications for imparting instruction and loadershiD of men. (1>) It should be understood that tho acceptance <,£ a ccmmisrio'i entails a liability to servo as an •efi\"ci- for ,n0 hoisi I'i but such liability would not interiero with free movement from place to place m Australia; nor with resignation, shoukl the G-overo.irient h-e pleased to accent it: nor, subject to tiie exigencies of the service, with the privilege of leave on private affairs to* visit countries outside Australia. _ I agree With tiie principle that in citizen forces all promotions should bo from tho ranirs i but in order to get yeung cfheers I advise thf.fr for tlii« purpose, service in tlis ranks of senior cadets should count. Tiie ordir.arv procedure tn h-> followed iy the annointmcnt of an officer would then general'v b-: the area ofiicer would nominate suitable senior cadets as suh-lieu + s in the c",;i »t corns, sueh earrv n:> m;y nor command on frit?" -'h- c:vh-: ■ P'irhig tho f,-.-* voar <:f fair adn : t training theso suhr-iiTutens'its sheol:! 1> • on ti,-/i_ es h'euvenaiils in the Oiti.ieii r-;rees. \\ ':' o p.mu'o ved by t'ie . M he test"-, their ;o>oies wou'd I b~ submitted through tho nsu-d chaoi oris for coicnusfucos. Tmh v J hii sysI 1 1 'f • { r ' o 1 ;)t; d Idl0■ an o' o ■ v o vol , ohliain it; j first «TrininK'l t"'e 1 C.r LS end io'l, w r : 0 e], .;.o', | rink of ennf-n aboif; CO. e-d of main- | noon,. 30 or woon lus 12 veers' ■-■■ ]■_ v-ep is_ about t- .<,h oVi ;, t } lo oi niai.'T no e::I!:.■■■■•') trj serve ■ l,) he necessary. Zcalors renmiii in order fa covnmrod tlirir ha!'or regiment, and 'subsequent! v brigades. A citizen ef-Secr e'eet'd te anv Perslioohl b" et {•»"•(. ,nl, T he n- fore of the in-v-o;-if, of 0 r; '."''en ofHnn;- fc •)!;-"{- rf r ■■■-), 10 I O- ...-I OPTS J-.p fl;-. J;-„1y fop ■ cit'T-r o cOO-er slicdd rr>f"iv» c-ro- . 11 ■' i 1 • -if T adr : --.-' t'"i.- rV . c f 1 fr- i-^. ( :l r,rr -hem. J, :c othor }v,; r , r prona-dien. Tiie i-o ■- o ; - .i;,o. woe',; .: n TOs. £2. oo i,-,." eoion-l "'h No rnv v|>n»tW !«1 ■d'-v-pd fr.v cti I ~11 - ..1, f f . !'-,t 1v,,,.-,:; , f. 1 1,, ! If. "I'la; 1 .1 f.n i, wll" ress ih- >". 2 h the i t-r!»y and attain U'o staadrrd of qnalincatmn. : THE CITIZEX SOLT-JKU. Tho Australian eitiseo sulji'r experiences much of miiitarv vaiaein >!.o « very day condition- of his civil life. He is generally a, good rider, a .-five, lithe, and intelligent. As a cadet he is taught ! to_ shoot and learns the of drill, and passing through, his recruit . adult training he joins' the force as tin efiieidit soldier. llueh will uudonbtedly depend on the amount of Iraini.ng that, through self denial and : devotion to his duty, the citizen soldier performs at or near his home, and if tins is done, in my opinion lie will be ; a.bla to subsequently maintain his efli- ! cienev as a soldier under the training ; that has been proposed in this paper? | Throughout, tho period of service the : citizen soldier must remember that he ■ is discharging a duty to his country, and that the pay ho receives is not*?, wage but an allowance to assist him , in the discharge of his duty. I therej fore tliink t'hot the pay of { tba in ail rmbseouent venrs • should be at the rate laid down for the 19-20t-h year, .namely 4s oer diem. \\hen. however, a citizen soldier is selected for _ and is ready to assume the responsibilities of a. non-commis-sioned officer, the case, is different. He is doi.ng more than his country absolutely requires, and he should therefor? receive higher rates of pay. v.p i to 8s for a day a sergeant. , The selection and training of the non- ; commissioned officer will be primarilv | the work of the citizen officer. Pro- : mismg non-commissioned officers should ; be sent to schools for further technical i trannjig on the same conditions as the ; citizen officer. They should be encomI aged to extend their services and are i of course, eligible for commissions. ( The establishments of tiie regular army have hitherto been the standard for Australia, andtliis principle should oe observed in the formation of the citizen forces. In its application, however local conditions may require slight variations. For instance, bandsmen are not necessary for a' citizen force, drummers a.nd buglers will sut>,7. is nec ?ssary; the details left at the base need not be so mailt. The relation between peace and wtpstablisbments for each arm are discussed m the .report, which goes on to deal with: TRAINING. The.training of the citize.n soldier may be divided into two parts, the homo training which will take place all the year round in tho vicinity of j the " le - n s « ome '. Tnder the corps = or the citizen officers of the area and the camo training which w : Ji ]ib annually held in the" noiirhbourWf a'ld Will generally consist of a brigade j of infantry with a proportion <--f other 1 Irl . orclcr to sustain the interest ot tfip foros, the in-tructioil p :- lon should bp of a progre.-sivo T?i-> soldier should nnnuallv bo +nnjrh-S the | proper practical methods of carrying

cut somo ivj-.v* oxcrcioc, v.-s \v;:ii b; 11:5 tested i:i he has learned 'lhus a oxoreiso wouid be studied every year in tho area, and practice 1Jy tested at the camp. hen this has been done, tho exorcise to bo studied during tho next year be initiated and explained. This method of training necessitates a. systematised arranccomcnt, by whioli cacli .soldier is gradually taught 011 tho ground hovv to carry curt all the duties of his arm. l*or battalion and regimen rat training the assembly (if the quotas from two or three areas becomes necessary, and this home training can bo done at "\voek ends. In ordinary years thoro Wiil bo 110 necessity to go beyond brigade training. Tho selection of tho time and place for these annual camps will bo the work of the Brigade Major, who should consult the convenience of the employers ami of tho men. Kvory year three or more brigades should be .selected for concentration, so as to practise commander:; su-drs, and railways in dealing with largo bodli°s of troops. These concentrations should he specially arranged i'or by the Gooi iimoiit oil the ativicc of tho Military Board. Training should consist of all that- is essential to good marching, accurate con trolled shooting, and the combination c: uil arms n.i attark and defence. Throughout, the principles contained of tho regular armv ti.ouic' oc i j J 1JoVr\' i f]. but they lunsi; bo applied with intelligence, and'with due regard to the local ■eoiidicious of sonnrl, gruund, and comnositio;i iof the force. TRAIXIXG FIELDS. Land will lie required to nroperlr and satisfactorily carry out this work, and in the selcetio;: of'it-; site too often conflicting conditions, nuist be roconeiled: One. that it should bo close to fiiios in order thai; units and briiiadhs lose 110 time on the road, and the oidicr tn at it should be large on-mo-i for manoeuvres. lr.'-r.ltfcs w.uild bo used it r anr:":1 traini'in;r.. and where possible might he n.nde available for tlii' brcedine of nrtillerv horses. iIOBT LISATTON." I Thoroughly thoßsht-ont pi ans f<. :r mcbilisa tinn and c ■; -ntraf ; ( . 1; ; CjUirod l-.eiore tho citi.rn forces can V jire-rarrd for war. Preparations for mobilisation is prio.mriy tlia woi'l-T ci the gener: l ! r-';:fr. \\dio re"c,"rniend the lines to b? frllowed, and advi't where and in what r.tnintity the munitio'K of war of t:v. variars uiiits s!i»iil:l stored. C rivntratio/i ■ ->n on'v he r ;.i i<fa"f'irih- r f:";-r o-I w!i; a the railway and jsniitarv pnfh-rifi •• -r--> ia tiie chaci'liicli cud in ah:, bit-a harmony. So I a<lv:: :- that a War h;"_ f'-rmcd. as i". tlv- cas-- i ; : :t- ■! K'l'gd-a, comnrisr-ri of toe ( :i i:iway Oemn::"io:!c r from en"h St'iio, ;inder tl'.a ;:rs'dd. iu-t cf the Oaartor-llrtrter-neneral .-f rl-o ciiiaon f.-r-es. and v.-itii an oi'' cr ■ /.' tlio liead-(}'aar-ters sti" r f as sacrc-liary. HiiAD-Q i;AItTi'A!S STAFF. ' zTlie orga;ii.,aii;:;i and duties of the District and iicadiiuaricrs biaiis were next (ica.lt a'ith. aio.i inc apooniliiicnts of an ias j>cci.t:r-U eueral was rccain-meiidi-d aa a his dailies se: foriii. Too report than proceeds to deal wirh : THE QCEriTiO:-; OF COST. However suitable these recainmeudiatians may he to the requirements of = the country, a great deal must di nend oil the burden which they will impose upon its hiiancial resources. I have tiareforc cakaiiai.al what tiie a;u;ual cost of the citiaen force would be, when ■ all the proo .sais have reached liaiLien and would he in fall working order, h.aturahy during the ii.iaauaii period laeaabeicd that a considerable ... .an: of ue:ireeuraiag cap. iiaitnre .a iao < f guns ana of war siaaad he obtained oaring tins uraiiiitie-ii peri si, tau up-keep of winch lias faiiy ; aiioa cd lor on niy dui.ia::. ! Tiie e.alf carp.-, e.:ia.a,ijd of fi-jD olficers, ai. tiie vales of pav li.at 1 iiav suggasia-il aaaaiiiis t :• a" t aal aaaoai c.:-t >a op;iia:,;o. 'i'livia v-pi p., ua vicas of the -idd warrar.o oriis-cr.3 in tho areas. These under the new ranes will amount to £23-ia).X), naddng a thai of f3,-G,(X)O. d'iie pay the new citisnn iaree has hem cstiaiated <a: tlie training periods j>ropost<l in my paper, and tin:- total works oat as feifev.-j:—p a v and iiorse adoaaiu e £ai"o,o»d. ration; 'ha-aig eanrninons ti;di ,: a-; f; a), ferag • during conlinuaas trainiaa f:ld.i Td. can.no-, service paiiiern oily £]:M.:.;:a!. Jaor..o a.re ami iocai t'oiron-rt •£2*>.i)i '. ma. eilaneoas £;,".qad: toial .-Co-ira./Oo! l.ne i.st-.il annua! -ee-sa anion cv( rvthuig a; in W'ridag -a. i. a, is csianiaied as a.ji .ws a->aa;f co-o- of4d.ad'!. ia rniaaena serv-: fid"':,d», - K .-,v eidaen troops pay ah aoaina- aad canir, '"h -'hiiiaii'y eoianae h.jiae aad ,aaa on; id tnc ; :a£...'il \'i.h Ci'-i a - ; ; j.: '.. I C.I d 1" t.a nana p nior ;■ tc! 'on ~. ■■. ■■ . , ''-'O inemoay-; sieias rcoaired. i idlaa'a i lasoia cs, nn a: ears of riiie ;ii -s. , c laa.a:;.i; nv,..a defeueos. nuiterial only. oonstiaicTimi of works being pscvided tar ctLnavise, J: mr.hxh armament, iieid HrtiJ'wv cai ma'dnnn guns, with vehicic:;. harness and ail stores £00.000; small arms! iSd.GOi);- animunition for gun and small arms £136.0:i0; general equipment, 4-B-1.000; new works and buildinos, rent, repairs, and maintonnnco £ld:i----000: miscellaneous £100,000; ' total £i ,SB-f ,000. An illustrative map accompanied the report, showing the Australian . and '"areas." Its outstand- . mg feature is that these are drawn so as to include only tho ponulous districts. In New South Wales the westernmost point taken in is Cobar while the greater part of Victoria, is mapped out. In Queensland the northern limit, is a little north of Towns- ! yiPe. and in South and West Australia j the areas lis along the coast.