OUR CITIZEN ARMY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1952, 8 January 1914, Page 6

OUR CITIZEN ARMY.

THE GENERAL RETURNS,

LESSONS CAINED ABROAD, Aftor an extended visit to the United I States and England, Major-Genoral A. J. God ley, C.8., Commandant of tho New Zealand Forces, returned to Wellington yesterday. In tho course of an interview accorded to a Dominion reporter, tho General voiced many matters of interest to the citizen army of tho Dominion. Meeting With the King. The big autumn manoeuvres of tho British Army was ono of tho most important events attended by General ' Godley while at Home, and in fact it was to bo present at theso that constituted ono of the chief reasons of his tour. As educative factors theso manoeuvres are recognised as all-im-portant by leading officers, and as nothing of the kind can yet bo attempted in the colonies, officers stationed in tho Dominion find it necessary to tako periodical visits Home to keep in touch with forward military matters. The General was attached to the staff of the Commandcr-in-Chief, Sir John French, and so was fully able to observe the conditions of modern' warfare, which make such rapid advances nowadays. All the latest developments in military science were carried out at these manoeuvres, and 1 as controller of the New- Zealand military scheme, General Godley was able to obtain; much information which will 'bo of great educative ' value to the- staff officers and soldiers in New Zealand. The September manoeuvres of the army stationed in Ireland were also of an instructive nature, and theso were attended by the General, who was besieged * with questions relating to New Zealand and her citizen army. The importance of the great English manoeuvres was raised by the presence, of His Majesty the King, who showed 'himself conversant with all points of military law and action. His Majesty .evinced the greatest interest in all tho work done at tho manoeuvres, and took the occasion also, of summoning General Godley. His Majesty wap fully awaro of being clone in New Zealand, along'the lines of compulsory training, and questioned General Godley at great length. His Majesty is Colonel-in-Chiof of tho Third- (Auckland) Mounted Rifles, and the First (Canterbury) Infantry Regiment, and ho particularly inquired about these two regiments. Ho also expressed pleasure that the regiments of the New Zealand Army had .been allied with tho Imperial regiments that had seen service.in the Maori wars, and expressed gratification that tho colours and emblems of distinction of the Dominion's forces wore being placed upon a right basis. His Majesty was very pleased that the people of New Zealand were as much, concerned about these decorations as those in tho British Army were about their own. At tho, manoeuvres the King was mounted on a fine-looking black horse, which has been his favourite, charge for eomo years. His Majesty informed General Godlay that the; animal had come from New Zealand. Supplying Information. The General Staff at tho War Office was supplied with a good deal of information by General Godtey, who spent a portion of his timo there during October last. The staff at tho High (Jommissjoner's Office was also given many details of the military system in Now Zealand. This should ; 'pr6vo-'valuable, as many inquiries are made at the offices from ■ those anxious to como to New Zealand to settle, but who are first desirous of ascertaining what their military obligations would be.. General Godley interviewed the Secretaries of State for the Colonies and for War and discussed the subject of possible cooperation between tho forces of tho Commonwealth and New Zealand. Aeronautics were taking up a good deal oi : the attention of tho military authorities wliilo General Godley was Home, and he was enabled to pay a visit to the Aldorshot {'lying School, where he mado an ascent in one of the latest B.E. typo biplanes. Two of the most interesting personalities met by the General during his tour were Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener. Tho veteran Lord Roberts, who is now anxiously endeavouring to make the young men of England realise, their responsibilities and dangers, made close inquiry in regard to the Dominion's universal training scheme, and was elated to hear from the General that the opposition to the scliemo was not great, and nowhere came from those holding responsible positions. General Godley was ablo to assure Lord Roberts that satisfactory progress had been made through tho initial steps necessary to place the scheme on a sound foundation, and was himself assured that the campaign which was started in some of tho English newspapers against the scheme was dropped as soon as careful inquiries were made. "Kitchener of Khartum," in the midst ! of all his important duties in Egypt, still retained pleasant recollections of his visit to these islands. General Godley returned via Cairo, find there saw the hero of so many pages of English history, and again had to answer lumferafts inquiries. In Australia the Minister of Defence, tho Chief of tho General Staff, and other officers were also interviewed, and matters of interest to the Dnfence forces of both countries wero deliberated upon.

Sir (an Hamilton's Visit. General Godley was in Canada'at the same time as General Sir lan Hamilton, Inspector-General of Overseas Forces, and travelled to England with him. In view of Sir lan Hamilton's proposed risit to New Zealand, provisional arrangements were made for his inspection nf the military forces here in April next. Sir lan Hamilton is expected to arrive at tho Bluff by the Maunganui about April 27, and will tour through both islands, making- a stay of about a fortnight. During his term of inspection big camps will be held in New Zealand, and the opportunity will bo taken by tlio General to see the men under canvas.