LORD KITCHENER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 754, 1 March 1910, Page 8

LORD KITCHENER.

A HINT OF HIS REPORT,

NO COLLEGE HERE;

MUST DEPEND ON AUSTRALIA,

Br TeloeraDh-Press Asßociation-Com-richt (Bee. February 2S, 9.55 p.m.) ■. London, February 2S. . The Wellington correspondent of "The Times", states that the Dominion manoeuvres havo so far emphatically demonstrated the weakness of the New Zealand defenco system ?iii scientific training, and the in- ' efficiency of several officers. He adds that he gathered 'in conversation with Lord.Kitchener, that the latter holds that, the gtographical,situation.;of New Zealand and Australia necessitates a considerable measure of inter-dependenco regarding defence, because an enemy landing in one country Mould be a menace to the other. Hence both should adopt the same system, and, as N«w Zealand is at present; unable to afford a college, her officers-should be trained at the Commonwealth college. Lord Kitchener favoured the establishment of military scholarships. ■ ', RECEPTION AT AUCKLAND. . -:: GREAT ENTHUSIASM. '. :' ATTITUDE TO COLONEL KO.to. (By Telegraph.—Proas Association.) ■•■':■•. Auckland, February 28. A cordial and enthusiastic,welcome was accorded to Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener by the citizens, of Auckland on his arrival in this city , From 5.30 p.m.. until G. 30 p.m. a constant stream of people poured down Queen Street towards the railway 'station, and began to line the ro'ute from that point to the Northern Club, via, Customs, Queen, and Shortland Streets. "By the time the for- • mal,.reception at the .station had commenced, the waiting crowds on this line of route numbered several thousands, besides whom many hundreds occupied windows and verandah tops. TBe troops which lined the streets were at their allotted posts by G. 15 p.m. Of these, the No. 1 and 3 Companies of the Garrison Artillery Volunteers, under Colonel Patterson and Captain Pilkingion, adjutant, were drawn up on the station. platform. A.-, company of■ the permanent force, with whom were the Newton West- Cadets, formed tho first line from' the station to Custom's Street, whilst the guard of honv our (comprising the Ist Auckland Mounted Rifles) stood ready outside the station to lead off tho procession. The remainder 1 of "the route was lined by volunteers, whilst the streets outside took on a more and more animated appearance. The arrival platform at the railway station, which was reserved for those bear-' ing cards of admission, eventwilTy-Tiecame fairly crowded, amonirthnso present being the Mayor (Mr. C: D.'Grey). the Hon. James Carroll (Native Minister), Captain Boscawen (Her- A.D.C. to Lord Kitch--_ener during the Auckland '.visit)," Lieu-' tenant-Colonel' Wolfe (officer. comroanding the district), Major. Allen (A.D.C. to Colonel Wolfe), Captains Carpenter, H. H."'Brown, and Bosworth, Bishop Neligan, the Hon. Major Harris, Hons. W. Beehan and W. W.' M'Cardle, M.L.C.'s, Messrs. W. F. Massey (Leader of the Opposition),, F. Lawry, C..H. Poole, A. E. Glover, and L. E. Phillips, M.P.'s, Stri W. J. Napier, and the city...councillors. ,-.Ex-Captain. Knyvett'was also on the platform., ' , At the Station. Punctually at 6.40 p.in. the special train drew up alongside the platform, and as Lord Kitchener alighted the troops saluted, and the Garrison Band struck Si. In. addition to the Field-Marshal, e party comprised Sir Joseph Ward (Prime Sfinister and Minister for Defence), Colonel Kirkpatrick (Chief of Staff to Lord Kitchener), Colonel Bobia (Chief of the New Zealand General Staff), Colonel Tnson (New Zealand AdjutantGeneral), Mr. A.- A. Whelan (private secretary to Lord Kitchener), and Mr. G. F. Whitcombei (Railway Traffic Manager for the North Island).. Lord Kitchener, having' inspected the troops on the platform, was formallv welcomed to the city by the Majar. In reply the Field-Marshal made a brief and snaracteristic speech.' \ ' .

'He stated that.he regretted.to think that this was .the last city of importance in which be would have the op- ; . portunity of seeing the Dominions cadets and volunteers. - Hβ well ■Tβmembered the good services which our .- contingents had rendered in.'South Africa, and how. fttllj- they had maintained the high reputation of their .country.; He.had been very much touched by the cordial reception given to him everywhere in Neij Zealand, showing, , as it did, : how deeply lloyal ■ New Zealanders.were, and how keenly they desired that the' question of de- . fence, should be put upon a sound basie: (Applause.) Although: this was his first visit to Auckland, he had al- . ways taken- the greatest; interest in. this province, . where many officers, attracted by the olimatic conditions and the beautiful surroundings, had come to settle: Moreover,'the , ; great importance of the. Auckland harbour gave additional lustre to this at- ' : tractive city. .. Hostile Demonstration. linmediately after the conclusion of this short reception ceremony, . Lord Kitchener arid the Prime Minister, and. the Mayor and-ColonelKirkpatrick entered the first of, the waiting carriages, 'and,. followed by the.military.and civic authorities, drove to the Northern Club. ■' .-.-... . ; Eh route the Field-Marshal was'vociferously cheered throughout the entire distance, the reception accorded to him being both spontaneous and .hearty. The passing, of. the ..carriage containing Colonels Robin and Tuson .was greeted all along the line'with a different kiiid of demonstrativenessy groans and various ejaculations coiieermng tho Knyvett case being' mingled with the ; cheers, that were being given further ahead for lord Kitchener. At, the Northern Club the Field-Marshal was received by the committee; Sir Joseph Ward meantime driving to the Star Hotel. No further public function, of any kind was held,. Lord. Kitchener spending the evening after dinner in consultation with the local military: authorities., To-morrow morning the Field-Marshal, will inspect the forts and. harbour defences, and, in the afternoon, will review the cadets and boy scouts. ■•'•-.• .; On the way up from. Wellington Lord ■ Kitchener. was given several informal Tejeptions and one formal one. The. latter took piai« at Frankton Junction, where the Major of Hamilton (Mr. J. A. Young) wesented an address on behalf of the residents of the Waikato. :, •■ ■ FIELD-MARSHALL INTERVIEWED. (By Telegraph—Special CorreßDondcnU ■.y ■ . • Christchurch, February 28. The Wellington correspondent of, the "Press" sends a report of a conversation he has had with Lord Kitchener. The "Press's" correspondent. says that lord Kitchener realises that wo in New Zealand cannot yet afford the expenses of a "military college, and that our men should go to the Australian military college. Lord Kitchener is reported as haying given, his reasons:for this opinion in ■the following words:— i "God has placed these fwo countries in such a geographical situation that there must h<i v. certain inter-dependence in regard to defence. For instance, any enemy gaining a footing in one country would be a menace to the other." The Field-Marshal (the correspondent oontinues) is very strong on the establishment of the Australian college on West Point lints, and on: making, it thoroughly np to date, so that students, after a rigorens course .will make competent officers. yiere must be no half measures, and swther politics nor wealth nor social posiiion must enter into th« selection.

One. other idea which he has in his mind to the question of scholarshipe. If such scholarships'are provided, the son of the working man; equally with the son of the rich merchant or • of tho wealthy. landowner, will Have a chance to distinguish

.himself, in the.service of .his country. Iα this way the best, talent , will bo brought to. the top, and will prevail.

Lord Kitchener's report on the New Zealand defences, allowing for geographical differences, will (it is further stated) in its main essentials be very much on the lines of his Australian report. The Field-Marshal has already said as much. New Zealand, no doubt,, will bo divided into districts, probably about fifty, and eaoh district will furnish a certain number of trained men.

Auckland, February 28. The cadets who are in camp in the outer Domain have been having rather a rough time owing to the rain, but, thanks to tho, untiring care cf the officers, the little soldiers have been made v.e comfortable as possible. They went through battalion drill this morning, and, this afternoon, had a rehearsal of the march past, everything going off satisfactorily.' Jiajor M'Donald, officer in charge of cadets in the Dominion, is in command. The country corps have mustered in strong force, something lite four hundred having come to-.Auckland.' Wednesday, is. the principal day 'of the manoeuvres, and; ,as 'the Mayor is inviting the public, to observe the day as a public holiday, there will doubtless be a large number of citizens to witness thedisplay. It ■ is anticipated that the' number of men of all amis -who will be present for inspection will be about 1400— 600 mounted men and 800 infantry. In addition.to these, there will, of course, be the' 400 Garrison Artillery mannina the forts at North Shore. This will make up a grand total of ISOO men. or, counting the cadets as well, there will be 5200 citizen soldiers and lads to. pass .under review by the Field-Marshal.