Australia’s Possibilities Considered in Battalions.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 12, 22 March 1911, Page 16

Australia’s Possibilities Considered in Battalions.

STRIKING CARTOON FROM THE “SUNDAY TIMES,” SYDNEY. If we leave the defence of Australia to the boys, we will have 100.000 immature soldiers to defend us in time of stress. If the men between 18 and 35 take up the burden—now—then we will have over 1,000,000 troops, exclusive of the cadets. What would a million troops mean? Perhaps this will enable you to understand, A million troops would enable us to have a man stationed every 60 feet right round the coast of Australia. Of course, we don’t want them so stationed, but that is what a million could do. 100,000 cadets would only give us one every 60 feet between Brisbane and Melbourne. The people have to decide whether they will be selfish and leave Australia’s task to ONE HUNDRED BATTALIONS OF BOYS, each 1000 strong, or be unselfish and patriotic, and see Australia safely protected by ONE THOUSAND BATTALIONS OF MEN, each 1000 strong, with a great reserve of cadets to draw upon as a second line.