THE SWISS MILITARY SYSTEM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2533, 21 June 1909, Page 5

THE SWISS MILITARY SYSTEM.

A MODEL FOR NEW ZEALAND. The Swiss military system has been quoted recently, both in and out of Parliament, as a model for New Zealand to imitate when the defences of the Dominion are placed upon something like a rational footing. The following particulars of that system may, therefore, be of interest to our readers: The Swiss militia system has lately been a- good deal discussed, owing to tho fact that an influential committee organised by the National Service League visited Switzerland in September, 1907, under the auspices of the Federal Government, to investigate the system, and that the British Territorial Army presents a general resemblance to the Swiss modcf, but without compulsion. The Federal forces do not constitute a standing army, the principle being that of a militia, and the liability to serve thirteen years in the Auszug or Elite, twelve in the Eandwchr, and six in the Landsturm. But preliminary to all this is gymnastic and* other training in schools, anjd subsequently in cadet corps, especially designed to prepare youths for military service, and fit them to take rapid advantage of the training. During the thirteen years in the Auszug (ten for tho cavalry) the aggregate service is 141 days in the infantry, 146 in the engineers, 160 in the cavalry, and 163 m the artillery. The recruit course in the first year provided under the new law (submitted to a referendum on November 3rd, 1907) has been increased to 92 days in the cavalry, 77 days for the artillery, and 67 days for tile infantry, Avith repetition courses of 13 days every year instead of every second year, Avliile the service in the Landsturm is reduced. The total military strength consists of: Auszug (20 to l 32 years of age)—96 battalions of infantry, 8 battalions of rifles, 24 squadrons of dragoons, 48 field batteries of 6 guns, 2 mountain batteries, 10 position batteries,, and 12 companies of light horse. Landivehr (32 to 44 years of age)—96 battalions of in-, fantry, 8 battalions of rifles, 24 squadrons of. dragoons, 8 flelcl batteries, and 15 position batteries. On January Ist, 1908, the field army comprised 204,569 men, of whom 138,252 Averc in the Auszug, and 66,318 in. the L'amhvehr. At the same date the Landsturm consisted of about 300.000 men. The army budget, excluding extraordinary charges, in 1908 was £1,528,000. : It might be seen that for an annual expenditure of little over one and a half millions sterling, Switzerland maintains ah. efficient force of halt a million men. Contract . tins Avitn the wav in Avhiqli we manage matters m New Zealand. Here we spend about a quarter of a million sterling yearly on 'our so-called defence system, and all avo have to- shoAV is a phantom force ot less than 20,000— Permanent Artillery, \ olnuteers, Rifle Club men, and Cadets.