THE TERRITORIAL ARMY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9169, 18 August 1908, Page 4

THE TERRITORIAL ARMY.

A cablegram from London on Saturday last stated that there riad been a further serbus diminution in- the number of Territorials during the second week's training, many of the battalions being f>o per cent, below their strength of last week, whilst some are mere skeletons. The aim which Mr R. B. Haldane, Minister of War, had in view in forming the Territorial Army was an excellent one. A fear had been expressed from the first that there would be a great disappointment as far as numbers were concerned. Under the volunteer system, England had a large number of disconnected battalions without organisation or transport, and had the necessity for mobilisation ever arisen, months must have elapsed bdfore even a semi/lance of cohesion or ,ot readiness for actual service could have been effected. Mr Haldane gave the English volunteers until June 30th to enrol themseives for one year in the Territorial Army under the new conditions. Anyone whu wishes to enrol after that timp must engage to serve for four years. The establishment of the Territorial Army was fixed at 315,000 officers and men. The strength of the volunteer force on October 31st last was about 225,000 of all ranks, and it is evident that the success or failure of Mr Haldane's scheme still hangs in the balance, and depends upon the number who voluntarily came forward to enlist under the four-year condition.