The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8500 Weekly. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1910.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4290, 4 January 1910, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of over 8500 Weekly. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1910.

During the session of Parliament the business transacted reaches the public in such a fragmentary manner that, beyond the fact that a measure has passed its first, second, or third reading, or been thrown out, little or no information is afforded, as to the provisions of the Bills placed on the Statute Book. The Defence Act provides for the appointment of a Council of Defence, to consist of the Minister for Defence, as president, the Chief of the General Stall, who shall he responsible for the administration of matters relating to organisation, disposition, armament, and generally for the maintenance of the defence forces, together with a finance member of the Council. The office of Inspector-General of Forces will be retained. A territorial force is to he established which will be liable for service within New Zealand, and is to be maintained, and if necessary, recruited, by transfers from the general training section i.e., those undergoing compulsory training. Such transfers shall be made either by ballot or by transfer. The Act abolishes the selection of officers by popular election, and provides that all commissioned officers in the territorial force shall be appointed by the Gove ament on the recommendation of a Board of Selection appointed in each district by the Council of Defence; officers so ap. pointed must pass prescribed examinations before obtaining their commissions, Ail volunteer corps, including reserve corps, shall, under certain transitory provisions of the new Act, cease to exist on a day to

he notified by proclamation. At any time within the date so notified members of corps referred to shall still be eligible for enlistment in the ferritoriaj force. The machinery for the abolition of the volunteer force and the establishment of a territorial force are on the same lines as those adopted in England for the establishment of the British Territorial Army, The periods of compulsory training are; —From 14 years or the date of leaving school to 18 years in the senior cadets; from 18 to 21 years in the general training section; and from 21 to 3U years in the reserve. From the senior cadets persons will be drafted into the general training section, which is to include 14 days in camp, with 12 half day parades, except iu the case of the ordnance corps, which will bo required to undertake 14 days in camp, and 2G half days or its equivalent. The training of the reserves is confined to two muster parades in each year. Any person who prevents his employees whojgre liable to service in any of the sections attending these parades is made liable to a fine not exceeding iilo. Every person liable for service

must within three months of the Act coming into force, present themselves for registration, failing which they will be liable to a fine of £5; and, further, will be disfranchised, and be ineligible for service in any Government Department. Those who, on religious grounds object to bearin.; arms, arc to be exempt. In lieu i' ivof they are to be employed in such civil duties as the Government may prescribe. In addition to the above liability, ail males between the ages of 17 and 55 are liable for service in the militia. The permanent forces remain very much as they are at present. This force is liable to service in and beyond New Zealand; all persons embodied will bo liable to eight years’ scrvice--five in the active force and three in the reserve. The above condensation will give a general idea of the liabilities of the people under the Act. It appears to us that the requirements are reasonable, and not beyond those by which reasonable military efficiency, may be attained.