We have received from the Government of the Common- wealth
of Australia an exceedingly interesting Memorandum on the proposed organisation of a National Guard for the land defence of Australia. It gives in detail the scheme for the universal training of the male population of the Common- wealth which was described in Mr. Deakin's recent speech. The new obligation which will be imposed on the Australians is as follows " Every male Australian will, in time of peace, be liable to undergo military training from twelve to eighteen years of age in the Cadets or Senior Cadets, and from eighteen to twenty-five years of age in the National Guard." By this means it is calculated that a force of some seven hundred and fifty thousand men will be provided for defence service within the Commonwealth. The whole scheme is a most interesting one, and we heartily congratulate the Commonwealth upon giving a lead in this matter to the Mother-country. No doubt the provision of sufficient trained officers will be a difficulty, but it is one which can, and must, be surmounted.
