DEFENCE.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16853, 5 June 1920, Page 9

DEFENCE.

GENERAL BIRDV/OOD'S VIEWS. CO-OPERATION WITH AT7STP.AT.TA (special to "ttte ft?ess."> WELLINGTON, Juno 4. Tho official luncheon given by the Government to General Birdwood this afternoon was a most successful function. The Prime Minister, in proposing the health of the General, referred to the importance of tho visits of the Prince of Uales, and of such a distinguished soldier as General Birdwood. Ho mentioned also the coming visit in his official capacity as Governor-General of Lord Jellicoe, and also the coming visit °f British journalists, observant and able men, who would give their ideas or this country, and of its citizens, to tho people oil the other side of the world. In one phrase Mr Massey summed the success of tho Prince's visit. He said it was extraordinary how that blue-eyed, fair-haired, Anglo-Saxon boy had appealed to the hearts and minds of the pcople of this country. Nothing like his reception had ever happened here, and he doubted if anything like it would ever be experienced again. Ho extended a most cordial welcomo to General Birdwood.

Birdwood, who was received with cheers and the singing of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," spoke af length of his exneriences with the New Zealanders in Efrypt and on Gallipoli. and expressed his regret that ho had not had more to do with " them in France. At one timo he was hopeful that there might have been formed an Australian and New Zealand army, but that could not be arranged. He mentioned that he had seen a good deal of tbe_ New Zealanders in tho Sonth African war. when lie was on Lord Kitchener's staff, and was deputed to look after tho colonial troops. He paid tributes to many of the New Zealanders who had fought and died in tho war, and to others who had come safely through. Especially, ho mentioned General Russell, and the high esteem in which he was held by the High Command, which had decideS, if the war had continued, to promote him to the command of an army corps.

In the course of a lengthy speech, General Bifdwocd impressed upon his hcarors the necessity of a close association between New Zealand and Australia in matters of defence. They should stand shoulder to shoulder, see eye to eye, and he one nation for defence purposes. Also, ho urged the necessity for close association with the British Navy. • He said with full confidence that there was no better unit on the Western front than the New Zealand and that ho knew also to bo the opinion of the High Command. During his stay in Australia he had visited Duntroon Military College, and had made a point of seeing tho New Zealand boys there. They -were a fine, smart lot, and they would be pleased to hear that the senior boy and, he believed, also the second Boy, was a New Zcalander. _ That was a very fino record, considering the small population of the Dominion. As to supporting the British Navy, he said that this was essential for Now Zealand and Australia, because they never knew when the Navv might bo wanted in the two places. Our needs out here might be very great at a time whon the British Navy might not be able to give us all the force wo required, so thati we might have to depend upon our own I strong right arm.

(press association telegram.) WELLINGTON. June 4. During the course of the Government luncheon to General Birdwood to-day, the General, referring to dcfenco questions of the future in New Zealand, said his advice was to keep up the Territorial force, and make "tho best uso of the experience of the men who had seen service in this war. He advised that the authorities should keep in touch with Australia and with India, possibly arranging for the exchange of Staff ofik-ers. He recognised that it might be difficult for a country, with a population of a, million to do big things, and in the plans to be adopted did not forget that expenditure would have to ho a consideration. As to the need for watchfulness, he gave plain advice. He said that the Germans < as conquerors had preached tho doctrine of vae victis, and the German of yesterday was the German of to-dav. Those who had been into the German land at the end of the war knew tho German conquered was a cringer, but as a conqueror he was a bully. For defence we must rely on our own right arm. Some said thaj; tho Nations would give us relief from the' necessity for ever being watchful, but the most that could bo said for the Leaguo of Nations at present was that it would do no harm. It could dn little pood now, although all well-disposed pcop.e hoped that one day it might bo productive of good.