H.—l.9a

22

11. For this reason I advise that camp training in time of peace should be extended, and I consider that, having regard to the natural military aptitude of the Australian, favoured by the conditions of his civil life, the training should consist of six clear days annually— i.e., from a Monday to a Saturday, inclusive, in addition to all home training. 12. I am of opinion that, if fully utilised under thoroughly competent officers, this training will meet requirements up to the twenty-fifth year. In the twenty-fifth to twenty-sixth year a muster parade would suffice. 13. The training required by law, over and above home training, would then stand — For junior cadets, 12 to 14 years —120 hours. For senior cadets, 14 to 18 years —equivalent to 16 days. Eecruit-training, 18 to 19 years —16 days, 8 of which to be in camp. Trained soldiers, 19 to 20 years —16 days, 8 of which to be in camp. 20-21 \ 21-22 I 22-23 years—6 days in camp. 23-24 i 24-25' 25-26 years —Muster parade only. Reserves. 14. After which they will be, for the period mentioned in clause 60 of the Act, available as reservists. 15. On this basis the yearly quotas enrolled in the Citizen Force would be—

Table I.—Yearly Quotas enrolled in the Citizen Army.

Note. —In the above table an annual wastage of 5 per cent, is allowed for mortality, medical unfitness, absence, and other casualties. Principles regarding Enrolment. 16. The first and imperative principle for the enrolment and maintenance of these 80,000 men as an efficient Citizen Force is that the nation as a whole should take a pride in its defenders, insist upon the organization being real and designed for war purposes only, and provide the means for properly educating, training, and equipping their officers and men. 17. Unless these requirements be met, no military system can be devised which will be other than an illusion and a source of waste of public funds. 18. The second principle for a successful Citizen Force is a complement of the first. The Force must be an integral portion of the national life. The citizen should be brought up from boyhood to look forward to the day when he will be enrolled as fit to defend his country ; and he should be accustomed to practise those habits of self-denial, of devotion to and emulation in the execution of his duty, of reticence, and of prompt obedience to lawful authority, which are essential to the formation of patriotic and efficient citizen soliders. 19. These considerations show how completely a Citizen Force should be kept outside party politics. Political feeling in an army is always a serious drawback to efficiency, and may become a danger to the State. 20. Recruits should be drawn impartially from all portions of the country, and from the whole of the community ; and upon the manner in which the reciprocal obligations of the nation to the Force and of the citizen soldier to the nation are brought home to the cities, towns, and shires will depend the value of the armed strength of Australia. Registration and Exemptions. 21. The application of these principles entails a complete and thorough registration of the youths of the country, and the adoption of a system whereby those moving from one part of the country to another will be traced, and required to continue their training.

~ Light Horse. Artillery. Years. Infantry. Total. Engineers ami Departments. i 18-19 .. 12,500 1,950 1,450 15,900 1,175 19-20 .. 20-21 .. 21-22 .. 22-23 .. 23-24 .. 24-25 .. 11,800 11,200 10,700 10,200 9,800 9,300 1,850 1,370 1,750 1,320 1,650 1,240 1,600 1,190 1,500 1,130 1,450 1,050 15,020 14,270 13,590 12,990 12,430 11,800 1,125 1,075 1,025 975 925 875 Total 19-25 63,000 9,800 7,300 80,100 6,000 25-26 .. 9,200 80,100 1,400 1,000 11,600 850