RADICAL CHANGES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12936, 14 July 1906, Page 5

RADICAL CHANGES.

HISTORIC KEG-BJENT DISBANDED

Received July 13, 0.23 p.in

LONDON, July 13

iMr Halclsiiio continued by- sf.iti'.'g tiiat the late Government had prov.d----o;l excellent nc-.v field guns for the Hor.s.9 Artillery, hut tlicre were only .sufficient ■men to mobilise forty-two batteries. The Government intended to utilize them ior inmmimition colun:r;.s and the artillery reserve. Thirteen thausand garrison Militiamen -would be released 'from the duties of coast defence, finis effecting a saving of £300,000 a year, besides doubling the efficiency of the artillery. The oid field guns would be converted into quick-firers and issued to the Volunteers. Hor-.e artillery wild cavalry would be untouched. It was 'intended to dispense •with the third battalion of the Scot* Guards, and the third battalion of the Coldstrea-ms, to 'abolish the third and fourth battalions of the iXorthumbwland and Lancashire Fusiliers, the. Warwickshire, and Manchester regiments, and to reduce the Irish Guards. The reserves would -amount to 122.000 at the end of the year. The militia would be torritorialised, and must go abroad in case of war. The Volunteers -would bo organised for the defence of naval ports and be given definite functions in each district.