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On the Eve of the Great War

In the quarter ending 30 June 1914, on the eve of the Great War, the Commonwealth of Australia was possessed of a legally constituted, highly organized and well-officered defence force. It consisted of permanent men and militia, including light horse, field artillery, garrison artillery, engineers and infantry. In actual strength it was composed of 45,600 men, whilst its establishment was equal to 57,700 men, in addition to which there were reserves consisting of 48,000 in rifle clubs and 86,000 in senior cadets. This force formed the foundation and nucleus of a fine citizen army, capable of growth and expansion and having all the attractive and cohesive strength of an army in being, bound together by law having its maintenance, discipline, and reinforcement secured by law.

Up to 1870 Australian defense consisted of a small garrison of British troops. These were placed in the principal cities as a kind of guard. The withdrawal of the last Imperial regiment in 1870, and the effect of the Franco-Prussian War and other European and Asiatic disturbances, led to the establishment of a colonial system of defense. The system was voluntary; men willingly came forward, gave their time and service, the governments providing them with arms and accoutrements and in many cases uniforms.

In 1880 experts from the Imperial army advised that a "Militia" or partially paid system should be substituted for the voluntary system. This was adopted about 1884. The expenditure to the colonies was increased by this system, but the general efficiency was very much greater. In most of the large schools cadet corps were established where the boys were given a regular course of drilling. The strength of the military forces in the different states prior to Federation was based upon population and amounted in all exclusive of rifle clubs to about 28,000.

Under the Constitution of the Commonwealth Act of 1900 the complete control of the defenses was transferred from the states to the Commonwealth. Under the Minister of Defense a general officer was appointed who organized and took charge of the land forces until 1905 when a Council of Defense was appointed to deal generally with questions of policy, and a military hoard to which the administration of the forces was entrusted. The Commonwealth was divided into six military districts generally corresponding to the boundaries of the six states. The main portion of the land forces is made up by the Citizen soldiers or militia. Over 600 professional soldiers were engaged as expert instructor? spread over all the principal places in the Commonwealth. For defending the leading ports and manning the forts permanent troops of Royal Australian garrison artillery are stationed.

Public opinion in the newly established Commonwealth soon became educated and interested in the importance of national defence and the recognition of Australia's local as well as Imperial responsibilities. The movement in favour of compulsory military training and an instalment of compulsory military service for the defence of the Commonwealth on a wide and comprehensive footing was powerfully organized by the Australian Defence League. The conscience of the country was thoroughly aroused. The Australian Defence League, under the guidance of Mr. W. M. Hughes, who in 1904 was Minister for External Affairs in the Labour Ministry of Mr. J. 0. Watson, and Colonel Campbell of the Rifles Section, and its organ The Call, successfully taught the lesson that " defence is the business not of the government or of a class, but of the people and of all the people." Mr Alfred Deakin, who was Prime Minister of Australia in the years 1907-1908, backed up by liberal and labour members, voiced the public sentiment of Australia in formulating a scheme of a national' citizen army as an integral part of Australia's defence policy.

Parliamentary and party difficulties prevented Mr. Deakin from making any progress with his bill in Parliament. The second Deakin Ministry was defeated and resigned on 12th November. 1908. It was succeeded by the first Fisher Ministry which remained in office, without taking action in reference to military defence ; it was defeated on 2nd June, 1909. It was succeeded by the Deakin- Cook (Fusion) Ministry. This Government made national defence, based on compulsory military training and service, and the establishment of an Australian naval unit, the main planks in its policy.

The defense of Australia at the time of the Great War was prescribed by the Defense Acts and amendments from 1903 to 1914. In the Act of 1909 provision is made for compulsory military and naval training with the necessary regulations as regards exemption, registration and enrolment, ince then further acts have been passed extending the provisions, removing difficulties and providing necessary machinery. The geographical position of Australia instilled in the minds of the people the necessity for greater security than they felt they could depend upon in a purely voluntary system. Leading statesmen of all parties recognized the danger and the system of compulsory training above referred to was the result.

By the acts passed in 1903 and 1904 all male inhabitants in Australia between the ages of 18 and 60 were made liable for home service in time of war. It was felt that to call out men for home defense who never had been trained would not be effective, so the Compulsory Act to provide for universal liability to train in time of peace was passed, and it is worth noting that this was the first act ever passed in any English-speaking country which compels all youths to undergo a system of military training. On 1 Jan. 1911 the Compulsory Act was put in force. All male inhabitants who are British subjects and have lived in Australia for six months arc liable to service. The training is as follows: (a) From 12 to 14 years of age in the Junior Cadets; (b) From 14 to 18 years of age in the Senior Cadets; (c) From 18 to 26 years of age in the Citizen Forces.

Before the Act of 1909 came into operation, at the request of the Commonwealth government, Lord Kitchener visited Australia and inspected the military forces, the forts and various defense works, and those in course of erection. He made a comprehensive report upon the whole scheme of land defense : this scheme was based upon the Commonwealth Defense Acts of 1903-09, but necessitated further amendments to those acts. The organization is based upon the following considerations : (a) The members available; (b) The length of service demanded; (c) The proportion of the various arms required.

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 engineer 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 standard of efficiency attained by all the trainees each year.

In addition to those who were undergoing regular training there were nearly 1,200 rifle clubs in Australia with a membership of about 50,000. An annual course of musketry was fired by these members but they did 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 England 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 August 1914, the course at the Military College has been temporarily modified. No fees were 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 were prepared for engineer, artillery, light horse and infantry work.