THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5962, 20 July 1912, Page 3

THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

MINISTER'S STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, July 1(7. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. VI. Allen) has had compiled certain inforiijailion in rogtard to the defence scheme in answer to a request made by -the Anti-Militarist Leucruo. In forwarding the information the Minister stated that a return giving every item of expenditure paid out of the defence appropriations is being prepared, and will bo laid on the table of tho House for the information of members.

The facts compiled show that the estimated cost of the scheme for the first three years, according to the statement of the Minister- of Defence in April, 1910, was £11,200,000. The Estimates for tho three years provided for the expenditure of £1,152,000, of which £llo,ooo'has not !>eeii spent. Tho number of officers of the Imperial Gcrjeral Staff and New Zealand Staff Corps is (78 and their salaries total .128,340. The amount voted for travelling expenses for 1911-12 was CBOOO. of which .£7617 was expended. There are twelve members of the Royal New Zealand Artillery serving with tlv> forces, , a ml their salaries total £3975, makhjg a grant total of CM,315. As to the personnel of the forces, the information acquired shows thai from the last census returns available 27,080 persons between the ages oi lb aucl 21 years and 35jG98 between 14 and 111 year*, making a total of t>2,1778, were available for military trainand the number liable coming of age this year would be approximately 8000, making the number liable (70,<778. The total number registered up to July 8 was »i 6,191. The shortage of 558f7, it was explained, includes bovs attending primary schools, who are still classed as Junior Cadols for training purposes. It will therefore be seen, says the report, that tho number unaccounted for must 'ke very small. Senior cadets are not required to undergo training in camp. Tho total number of Territorials who atteulcd camp during tho last training year was 17,831, out of a total of 21,614 posted for 1011-12 to tho Territorial force. The percentage of attendance was thereforeS2.-10.