INTERNAL DEFENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14156, 16 March 1910, Page 7

INTERNAL DEFENCE.

r [ MODIFICATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS. I Ono of the leading officers of the Auckland district, interviewed regarding Lord Kitchener's recommendation t<> continue compulsory training to 25 years of age, said the general opinion was more in favour of the i proposal of tho New Zealand Defence Minister that the compulsory training should cease at 21 yours of age, when the men would pass into a ■ reserve, according to certain conditions. If the suggestion of Lord Kitchener to train up to 25 was adopted, the authorities would probably find 'tlio people considering the system irksome. Once the men had served three years, from 18 to 21, however, they should not be lost sight of, but should bo kept up-to-date by muster i parados. ! It is understood that at the conference of district eomnmndinij officers, wliich has been held in Wellington during tho last three days to consider matters in connection with the new Defence Act. a board, consisting of Mr. W, 0. Kensington (Under-Secretary for Lands), Mr. J. Stranohon (Sur-veyor-General), and Colonel Tuson, was appointed to select two training grounds, one in tho North and one in the South Island. Tho question of dividing the Dominion into 55 military districts, according to Lord Kitchener's recommendation, was considered. It is understood that the division will be carried out on the basis of the census to be taken early next year. It is proposed to hold continuous camps of instruction for five months at

a time, and employers will' be asked to let off such.-of their employees as they can spare, say, for a fortnight at a time, during the progress of tho camps. In this way all the employees of a firm will be ;ible to attend the camp in turn and the longer the men can stay the better.

The men will be paid a slight remuneration for their attendance in camp, as well as».being found in rations, and it is hopea that a spirit of enthusiasm will spring up in the community, and those men who find themselves temporarily out of work or with employment slack will put in a few weeks in camp while waiting for a busier time. It is probable that a rough uniform will bo designed fc;r the general training section. —("Auckland Herald.")