Junior The training for junior Cadets, which lasts for two years, consists of 90 hours each year and begins on 1 July in the year in which the cadet reaches the age of 12. This training is especially aimed at the development of the physique of the cadet. It consists principally of physical training for at least 15 minutes on each school day, and elementary marching drill. The following sub jects are also taught: Miniature rifle shooting, swimming, running exercises in organized games and first aid. The Junior Cadets do not wear uniforms. A special staff of instructors is maintained by the government and many classes for the instruction of school teachers are held throughout the country. The teachers then instruct the boys and the inspectors of the schools supervise the training and inspect the boys on behalf of the military authorities.
Senior The training of Senior Cadets, which lasts for four years, commences on 1 July in the year in which the cadet reaches the age of 14. It consists of at least 40 drills each year, of which four are classed as whole days, 12 as half days, the remainder being night drills of not less than one hour. The four years training comprises marching, handling of arms, musketry, physical drill, first aid, guards and sentries, technical training as a company in elementary field work and ele mentary battalion drill.
Adult Forces.— Training in the Citizen Forces, which covers a period of eight years, begins on 1 July of the year in which he reaches the age of 18 years. The work consists of training continuously in camp for 17 days in the case of the naval forces, artillery and en gineer arms, and eight days for other arms and eight days' home training for all arms. The total service is 25 days per annum. Persons, if by their religion they are not allowed to carry arms, as far as possible are allotted to duties of non-combatant character such as stretcher bearers, or as members of the Army Medical Corps, necessary proof being required to secure exemption. Heavy penalties are provided by act for evasion or prevention from service. Efficient parades must be attended and a stand ard of efficiency attained by all the trainees each year.
Pay.— All members of the militia are pro vided with certain payment. Citizen soldiers who enlisted voluntarily under the old system have the same rate of pay as formerly, the basis being 8/- per day for gunners, sappers or privates. Under the compulsory system they receive 3/- per day during the first year and 4/- per day during the following years of their training. Non-commissioned officers and of ficers are paid as follows: Corporals, 9/- per day; Sergeants, 10/- and 11/- per day; Lieu tenants, 15/- per day; Captains, 22/6 per day; Majors, 30/- per day; Lieutenant-Colonels, 37/6 per day; Colonels, 45/- per day; mounted officers also receive horse allowance.
Uniforms are provided free for use on drills and parades, but are not permitted to be worn when the cadets or soldiers are not on duty. The Citizen soldiers have rifles issued to them, but the arms for the Senior Cadets are kept at local depots and issued as required for musketry practice and drill. An allowance of free ammu nition is provided to encourage rifle shooting. The Commonwealth government has estab lished factories for the manufacture of all mili tary equipments.
In addition to those who are undergoing regular training there are nearly 1,200 rifle clubs in Australia with a membership of about 50,000. An annual course of musketry is fired by these members but they do not undergo any systematic course of training. It is estimated' that 60 per cent of the members of these rifle clubs are fit for active service.
A Royal Military College was established in 1911. The ordinary college course lasts for four years and when completed those who have passed through go for a period on duty to Eng land or India, after which they are appointed to positions on the staff or with the permanent troops in Australia or New Zealand. During the European War, which commenced in Au gust 1914, the course at the Military College has been temporarily modified. No fees are charged for instruction and maintenance, each staff cadet being credited to meet necessary expenses of uniforms, books, instruments, etc., with an allowance of 5/6 per day. Both educational and military work are comprised in the course of instruction. Cadets are prepared for engi neer, artillery, light horse and infantry work.
The working of the compulsory training system is proving most successful. The num
ber in training in 1914 was Citizen soldiers, 51,000; Senior Cadets, 87,000; Junior Cadets, 50,000; nearly 200,000 in all in actual training. G. H. Esq., C.M.G., the Common wealth statistician (to whose works the writer of this article is greatly indebted), deals with the success of the Australian system. "The scheme both before its inception and since its successful inauguration has had the support of leading statesmen of all political views as well as the vast majority of the citizens of the Commonwealth. In general the trainees are alert and well disciplined while on parade, and their interest and enthusiasm is shown by the large number of candidates seeldng promotion at competitive examinations after courses of lectures, demonstrations and special parades. A great deal of voluntary service is rendered in all branches of the service and the rifle clubs of the Citizen Units are well patronized. Many of the regiments have athletic, gymnastic and swimming clubs and sports meetings are fre quently held. Moreover, a marked improve ment has become apparent in the general con duct and bearing of the youths of Australia, and it is claimed that this is the effect of the system of universal training. As a result of enquiries made in 1914, the police authorities in all the states concurred in the opinion that the behavior of the youths who are subject to the training is vastly improved. It is stated that both mentally and morally as well as physically the benefits are very definite and that "the principal effects of a beneficial nature are in creased self-respect, diminution of juvenile cigarette smoking, and generally a tendency toward a sense of responsibility and a desire to become good citizens." Naval Defense.— Prior to the Federation of the Australian states the naval defense was chiefly provided by a British squadron located in Australian waters with Sydney as its base, Australia and New Zealand providing a por tion of the expense to the British government. In addition to this the states had provided at their own expense several small vessels, gun boats, etc. After the Commonwealth was established it was considered that Australia should take a greater part in naval defense so it was decided in 1909 to create an Australian naval force to replace the squadron previously maintained under the agreement with the British government. The Australian govern ment invited Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson to visit Australia and advise on naval matters generally. His scheme has been principally adopted. It provides for 52 vessels and 15,000 men. Expenditure on construction works ex tending over 20 years f40,000,000 with an ulti mate annual naval vote of nearly i5,000,000. The 52 vessels would consist of 8 armored cruisers, 10 protected cruisers, 18 destroyers, 12 submarines, 3 depot ships, 1 fleet repair ship. Six naval bases and 11 sub-bases were recom mended. The Australian navy in April 1915 consisted all told of about 20 vessels varying in size from a gunboat of 360 tons to the battle cruiser of 19,200 tons, aggregating about 60,000 tons or an average of 3,000 tons per vessel.
In the great war the Australian navy by its prompt and effective action rendered valuable service in clearing the islands of the Pacific of German ships. The most spectacular feat was the destruction of the commerce raider Emden by the light cruiser Sydney, after the former had destroyed, principally in the Indian Ocean, 21 British vessels valued between two and one half and three million pounds.
The Australian forces rendered valuable aid also in the campaigns int, Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Macedonia, and the western front. An army of about 300,000 was raised; the ma of whom saw actual service with the British and French forces, and much of the credit, the prompt way in which they adaptd themselves to modern warfare is un doubtedly due to the national system of com pulsory training in Australia. That the quality of the troops was of the best was evidenced by the frequency with which they were mentioned in dispatches. See WAR, EUROPEAN.
Bibliography.— Beaumont, (Naval Defense of Australia) (1901) ; De Thierry, Naval and Military Forces) (1914); Edmund, Australian Fleet) (1911); Foster, De fense of Australia) (1908); Hythe, and Imperial Defense) (1913).
Hon. J. G. JENKINS, Minister of Defense, South Australia, 1899 to 1901, Premier 1901 to 1905, Agent-General 1905-08, Hon. Treasurer Australian War Contingent Association.