The Press. FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1914. THE NEW ZEALAND CITIZEN ARMY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14888, 30 January 1914, Page 6

The Press. FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 1914. THE NEW ZEALAND CITIZEN ARMY.

In the October.number of the "Army Review" tho place of honour is given to an article by Major-General Godley, C.R., on "The Citizen Army of New Zealand." The history of tho force is told in clear and soldierly language, and wo have little doubt that it will bo read with much interest in England. Here the public are familiar with the main outlines of the story. Considering that tho whole scheme had to bo evolved and organised, thf> progress made in a short time is really remarkable. In 1909 Brigadier-General Davies, then Inspector-General of the New Zealand Forces, and.now commanding the 6th Infantry Brigade at Aldershot, reported that not more than 5000 men of the old Volunteer force had done any work in the field in daylight during the year. This year it is expected that the posted strength be about 20,0C0, it is hoped to ensure an attondance at camp of 90 per cent., and, ac our readers are aware, the camps are to be of all arms, and th» troops are to be inspected by General Sir lan Hamilton, the Inspector-General of the ' Oversea Forces. An equally interesting sketch of- tKe organisation and distribution of the forces is also given. During the last two years fifteen officers of tho New Zealand Staff Corps and Royal New Zealand Artillery have been sent Home and to India for instruction, practically in exchange for fifteen Imperial officers lent to tho' New' Zealand Government and serving in the Dominion. The papers of the promotion examinations for . New Zealand permanent officers are corrected at Home, 'and. the same standard '- exacted for them as for Imperial; officers. The examinations for Territorial officers are. also conducted on the same lines and standard as at Home, and no officer is promoted unless he has passed. General Godley points out that many : valuable links have lately been formed with the Imperial Army. . His. Majesty , ■ the King , graciously corA sented to do the 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles and Ist (Canterbury) Infantry Regiment the honour of becoming their Colonel-in-Chief and Lords Roberts and Kitchener ,of the Royal New Zealand Artillery and the Territorial -New Zealand Artillery and' of the New Zealand Engineers respectively. Many ex-Gpvernors, . distinguished... New Zealanders and former General Officers Commanding the Forces in Now Zealand are honorary colonels of other regiments; four of the Mounted Rifle regimopts are affiliated to King Edward's Horse, and thirteen of the infantry.' regiments of the British Army which fought in 4ho Maori wars., General Godley speaks in high terms of the excellent spirit pervading all ranks, and the cheerful and ungrudging manner in which, as a rule, tho. personal service is given. He has'gretft hopes of the future of the New Zealand Citizen Army. Hβ says:—"All young men " belong to it, rich and poor, high and "low, with no distinctions of class or "occupation, and all are treated alike. " Commissions are. obtainable only " through the ranks and by competitive " examination, both written and practi- " cal, and in the future I believe that "the best brains so obtained from,all "classes of the community will render " the New Zealand citizen officer cap"able of leading and instructing, his "men so doing justice to the eplendid " material of which the New Zealand " Citizen Army is undoubtedly com- " posed." New Zealand, wo believe, has reason to feel proud of the position which it has taken up in the van of i the movement for National Defence, setting an example even to the Mother J Country. The success which has ! hitherto attended the movement is due I in the first place to The splendid patriotism of the people. At the same time, there is no doubt that we have been most fortunate in having officers of such ability as General Godley and those associated with him in the organisation jof the force. The War. Office undoubtedly lent us of their best. The foundations have been well laid, and we have every confidence that before long the Citizen Army of New Zealand will be' regarded :»s an object lesson for other parts of the Empire.