MILITARY CONSCRIPTION (DOMINIONS). (Hansard, 20 July 1926)

§ Mr. AMERY

The particulars which the hon. Member desires, in so far as the self-governing Dominions are concerned are as follow:

Canada.-Section 10 of the Canadian Militia Act provides: All the male inhabitants of Canada of the age of 18 years and upwards, and under 60, not exempt or disqualified by law, and being British subjects, shall be liable to service in the Militia: Provided that the Governor General may require all the male inhabitants of Canada, capable of bearing arms, to serve in the case of a levee en masse.

1056W

Commonwealth of Australia. —Section 59 of the Commonwealth Defence Act provides: All male inhabitants of Australia (excepting those who are exempt from service in the Defence Force) who have resided therein for six months and are British subjects and are between the ages of 18 and 60 years shall, in time of war, be liable to serve in the Citizen Forces.

Section 125 provides: All male inhabitants of Australia (excepting those who are exempted by this Act), who have resided therein for six months, and are British subjects, shall be liable to be trained, as prescribed, as follows:—

(a) From 12 years to 14 years of age, in the Junior Cadets; and
(b) From 14 to 18 years of age, in the Senior Cadets; and
(c) From 18 to 25 years of age, in the Citizen Forces; and
(d) From 25 to 26 years of age, in the Citizen Forces:

Provided that, except in time of imminent danger of war, service under paragraph (d) shall be limited to one registration or one muster-parade.

New Zealand.—Section 27 of the New Zealand Defence Act provides: All the male inhabitants of New Zealand between the ages of 17 and 55. not hereinafter exempted, who have resided in. New Zealand for a period of six months are liable to he trained and serve in the Militia.

Section 35 provides: Subject to the provisions of this Act, all male inhabitants of New Zealand who have resided therein for six months and are British subjects shall he liable to be trained as prescribed as follows:—

(a) From 12 years to 14 years of age or to the date of leaving school, whichever is the later, in the Junior Cadets; and
(b) From 14 year; of age or the date of leaving school, as the case may be, to 18 years of age, or in the case of those who on attaining the age of 18 are attending a secondary school, then to the date of their leaving school, in the Senior Cadets; and
(c) From 18 years of age. or from any later date on which they cease to attend a secondary school a; aforesaid, to 21 years of age, in the General Training Section; and
(d) From 21 years to:30 years of age, in the Reserve."

Union of South Africa. —Sections –3 of the Union Defence Act provide: Subject to the provisions of this Act, every citizen shall be liable between his 17th and his 60th year (both included) to 1057W render in time of war personal service in defence of the Union in any part of South Africa whether within or outside the Union. Subject to the provisions of this Act, every citizen shall be liable to undergo the course of peace training for military service in the Defence Forces of the Union which is prescribed by Section 64 of this Act. Every citizen may be required to commence that training in his 21st year, and to complete it riot later than his 25th year, but a citizen may voluntarily commence that training in any year between his 17th year and his 21st year (both included) and shall complete it in the fourth year from the year of commencement. Of the total number of citizens throughout the Union liable to peace training under the last preceding Section, only 50 per cent. shall actually undergo that training unless, out of moneys specifically appropriated by Parliament for the purpose, provision is made for the training of a greater percentage: Provided that whether provision has been so made for 50 per cent, or for a greater percentage, a margin of increase or decrease not exceeding five per cent. shall be permissible.