THE NEW DEFENCE SYSTEM.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1036, 27 January 1911, Page 4

THE NEW DEFENCE SYSTEM.

REMARKS BY THE PEEMIEB<

(By TeleEraph.-Special CorresnonaenU Stratford, January 26.

• Speaking at Stratford to-night, .th» Prime Minister said that the organisation of the defence system of the countryin accordance with the Defence Act had now been carried out. The new Commandant of the- forces and his Staff were busily engaged giving effect in a. practical way to ' what was necessary ■under the Act. What was essentially aimed at was efficiency, with the requisite practical knowledge and skill. Ho had every reason to hope that under the able Commandant who was now. atthe head of the defence forces, the re-> organisation would proceed energetically* The Commandant and his Staff had a£ ready finished in the Auckland and WeU lington districts, and they had now gone; south to complete the Work in Canter* bury and Otago. General "Godley had spoken with enthusiasm of the lielp that he had- received from old Volunteeri and Territorials, as well as'from-citi< zens and civilians o£ all: classes, and ha (the Premier) would like to take that opportunity' of naying a ; tribute to the valuable work done by old ..Volunteer! who were now passing out of* existence. He had done so, indeed, from his place in Parliament, but next session he proposed to ask the House to' frame a resolution placing on record an acknowledgment of the .services that had been rendered by men of all classes through* out the Dominion.