THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3725, 10 January 1913, Page 3

THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

NUMBER OF PROSECUTIONS. j A STRIKING RETURN. A return prepared at the request of tlie Minister for Defence shows how the Territorial Defence scheme has worked, and how the provisions of the Act have been observed, up to November 30, 1912 (says the “Dominion”). In all New: Zealand there were, up to the date mentioned, only 362 prosecutions for refusals to take the oath, and the total number of ‘'absences from drill by Territorials and Senior H Cadets, during the period covered by the return, was 1161. From the time when the Defence Act came into operation at the beginning of 1910, up tp November 30 last, 904 Territorials and 154 Senior Cadets were convicted for dereliction of duty. I The number of persons imprisoned I during the same period for failure to | comply with the provisions of the Act 1 was 68. The smallness 'of these figures- is interesting, when it is remembered that up to May 31, 1912, 61,797 Senior Cadets and Territorials had been registered. The details of the return are as follows— AUCKLAND. TerriS. Cadets, torial. Non-registration Refused take oath Absence from drill and 1 obstruction parades... 36 236 I Convictions 25 221 Imprisoned WELLINGTON. A Non-registration 3 10 Refused take oath 4 21 Absence from drill and a obstruction parades... 59 332- s Convictions 55 325 Imprisoned 8 t CANTERBURY. v Non-registration 1“ 3 ® Refused take oath 1 281 * Absence from drill and. obstruction parades... 41 304 Convictions 40 281 Imprisoned OTAGO. Non-registration 1 13 Refused take oath 4 36 Absence from drill and obstruction parades.. i 28 134 Convictions 34 77 Imprisoned