IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 849, 22 June 1910, Page 7

IMPERIAL DEFENCE.

OVERSEAS INSPECTION. ■ GENERAL SIR lAN HAMILTON APPOINTEDPOSITION COMBINED WITH MEDITERRANEAN COMMAND. By Telega ph-Pross Association-Copyright. (Rec. June 21, 9.15 p.m.) London, June 21. It is officially announced that General Sir lan Hamilton, Adjutant-Gen-eral to tho Forces and second military member of tho Army Council, has been appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, tho position declined by Lord Kitchener. . Sir lan Hamilton will also act as Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces. Major-General Sir J. S. Ewart, Military Secretary at Headquarters, will succeed General Sir lan Hamilton as second military member of the Army Council Liout.-General Sir Archibald Hunter, lately commanding the Southern Army in India, has been appointed Governor of Gibraltar. The effect of tho reorganisation is that Major-General Sir John French, at present Inspector-General of tho Forces, will become Inspector-General of the Home Forces only. HOUSE OF LORDS' DEBATE. APPOINTMENT QUESTIONED. GOVERNMENT EXPLANATION. London, June 20. Replying to Lord Northcote, ex-Gov-ornor-General of Australia, Lord Lucas, Under-Secretary for War, remarked that it was not 'proposed to ascertain, prior to tho Imperial Conference, whether tho self-governing Dominions would' approve- of inspection by tho Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean. (Rec. June 21, 9.15 p.m.) - ■ London, Juno 21. Lord Lucas, continuing his speech, stated' that whatever inspeetors were arranged for they could only ba appointed at the Dominions' request. Lord Crowe, Colonial Secretary, said that probably the Dotainions would welcome inspection when it was considered necessary. Tho matter was not urgent in view of Lord Kitchener's and General Sir John French's recent inspections. Lord Midloton (formerly Unionist Secretary for War) asked whether tho Commander-in-Chief in tho Mediterranean would inspect tho forces in all parts of tho world, and also command the troops in Egypt, Malta, and Gibraltar. ' His Lordship, continuing, asked whether tho multifarious assortment of duties attached to tho position would, bo continued. Lord Midleton also inquired what wore tho duties which tho Duko of Connaught, tho late Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, had found it impossible to dischargo with advantage to 1 tho country; and, again, what wero tho duties which Lord Kitchener had found to bo incompatible with a field-marshal's position? Lord Lucas, replying, said ho hoped to tablo papers on tho subject shortly. DISCUSSION NEXT YEAR. , STATES MR. HALDANE. ' (Rec. June 21, 9.40 p.m.) London, June 21. Mr. Haldane, Secretary for War, has issued a statement regarding tho proposed inspection of tho military forces of tho oversea Dominions. Ho says that the Government proposos to discuss tho arrangements at the Imperial Conference in 1911. NEW ZEALAND'S SHIPS. ZEALANDIA'S CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING. * ' By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. London, June 20. The keel of New Zealand's gift cruiser-battleship. Zealandia, of the Indefatigable class, will be laid at tho Fairfield yards on the River Clyde on Juno 23. [The Zealandia will be on tho lines of the . Indefatigable, which cost £1,730,000, and the particulars of which were: Length, 570 ft.; beam, 79 to. SOft.; displacement, 18,000 tons; hOrse-power, 45,000; speed, 28, knots.] ALL SHIPS TO COME OUT TOGETHER, (Rec. June 21, 9.15 p.m.) London, June 21. Replying to Mr. A. H. Burgoyno (M.P. for Kensington ; North), Mr. R. M'Konna, First Lord of the Admiralty, stated that tho orders for the destroyers to be stationed in New Zealand under the ; new naval agreement would be given in time for them to accompany the rest of the New Zealand ships to tho Pacific in 1912. LORD PLUNKET'S VIEWS. PLEASED AT UNIFORMITY. ' Brisbane, June 21. New Zealand's late Governor, Lord Plunket, in an interview, said he was pleased that Australia and New Zealand were to have a uniform system of defence, especially in tho matter of compulsory training up to 26 years of age. AUSTRALIAN STOKERS RETURNING. DECLINE BRITISH CONDITIONS. Melbourne, June 21. Two of the stokers sent. Homo to bring out the Australian destroyers Parramatta and Yarra have been recalled, as they declined to submit to the Imperial Navy regulations, which provide for lower pay than is given to Australians serving in tho Pacific. AUSTRALIA'S MILITARY COLLEGE. DIRECTORS WANTED. Melbourne, June 21. The Federal Government is inviting applications for tho positions of directors for tho Military College. Two are wanted at salaries of £800 and £700 respectively. . SAFETY HELMETS FITTED. London, Juno 21. Mr. R. M'Konna, First Lord of tho Admiralty, stated in tho House of Commons that forty-seven submarines had been fitted with safety. helmet*.