PROFESSIONAL MILITIAMAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7699, 7 May 1903, Page 2

PROFESSIONAL MILITIAMAN.

INGEN.OUS FRAUD THAT HELPS THE PAPER AR^tY. The British Militia force on paper is 151,737. A oall to arms, (however, would reveal the fact that not one-half of that number is available. This enormous deficiency has so far passed unheeded, but it is only additional proof of the impossibility of an. early realisation of the army corps daydream. An ingenious fraud is daily being perpetrated upon the War Office by a number of loafers, who have practically developed into " professional militiamen." Tliey join a -Militia battalion with tlie sole object of securing the bounty, and incidentally scampering through forty-nine days' training. Then they fold their kits and move quietly into another district, ostensibly in search of work, but in reality to obtain a second bounty. And so they go on pursuing their territorial tramp, swelling the strength of a number of regiments and drawing King's bounties. Proof of this becomes apparent when the Militia recruit parades for the first time on -the square, and without instructions.,! of any kind instinctively handles his rifle with an alacrity that can only come from prior servioe. Here are the histories of some newly-joined militiamen found in the quiet seclusion of the / barra ck-r oom : — A Reservist, who could not obtain work! or arrears of pay, so enlisted under an assumed name. A line recruit, who stated that he wasj twenty-two years of age — and looked nearer thirty-two. He refused to acknowledge any former service, but displayed a wonderful acquaintance with drill. A deserter from the Royal Marines and a recruit in numerous Militia battalions. A recruit, aged thirty -five, who could talk in an informing manner about every regimental depot in the United Kingdom. An ex-Grenadier, -dismissed with ignominy. It would be hard to suggest that the War* Oflice is so -unsophisticated as to be unaware of the*, wiles of the old soldier. The system of fraud may waste public money,; i but it helps to fill out the " paper returns. ' The professional militiaman does not find) much difficulty in furnishing the necessary references.