WHAI WILL IT COST?

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2571, 4 August 1909, Page 3

WHAI WILL IT COST?

UNIVERSAL MILITARY TRAINING. WE L LIN GTON OFF! CER’ S SCHEME. Everv military officer avlio has studied the question is an compulsory military training in Noav Zealand. Every able-bodied man Avho has anything to lose knows that universal military training is the only adequate defence, and the only fair method of making a national army. Last week, at the Garrison Officers’ Club, Wellington, a large number of officers gathered to discuss the question, Major Moorhouse presiding. The scheme has been received in all parts of Nbav Zealand, by people who think, as entirely feasible. But it has frequently been pointed out that _ any scheme of universal military training Avould be so costly that it Avould be impossible for the country to undertake it. The defence of New Zealand at present costs about £270,000 a year.' Captain Richardson put before the meeting of officers his estimate of the cost of the universal scheme. He slioaved that the average cost per annum for the first six years would be £343,416, and that each year thereafter the cost Avould be £387,000. Estimated cost for first six years: —

Cost of maintenance in camp : 10 days per year per man of Ist line, and 4 days per man in 3rd line, at 2s per diem 110,000 Uniforms: Approximate, £48,000 for 2nd line, and £255,000 for Ist and 3rd 1in0... 305,000 Small arm ammunition for practice for nix years: Ist line £90,000, second line £36,000, 3rd line £40,000... 166,000 Heavy gun ammunition foxpractice: Approximately... 80,000 Increase in reserve supply: Approximately 90,000 Headquarters staff 45,000 District staffs ... ■■■ ••• 120,000 Permanent force of artillery, instructors, etc. 150,500 Adjutants and staff instructors 294,000 New rifles 135,000 Now tents, military stores and equipment 180,000 New armament 60,000 Construction of forts and harbor defences *■ 30,000 New rifle ranges, etc. ... 100,000 Miscellaneous 180,000

Total for six years ... 2,060,500 -Estimated annual cost after first six years Ist line £IB,OOO, third line ' £12,000 30,000 Uniforms 57,000 Small arms ammunition for practice ... 48,000 Heavy'-gun ammunition ... 12,000 Reserve supply, etc. ..: . ... 10,000 Headquarters staff 8,000 District staffs ... 22,000 Permanent force of artillery instructors 26,000 Adjutants and staff instructors 49,000 Rifles 8,000 Tents, military stores,, equipment ••• 20,000 New armament ... 5,000 Forts and harbor defences... 3,000 Rifle ranges: 50,000 Miscellaneous 30,000

Total 378,000 Training and organisation of the National Army were dwelt with at length, (says the Wellington ‘‘Evening Post”), the officers present showing great keenness and the possession of many valuable ideas.