THE NEW ZEALAND COMMAND

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2724, 20 March 1916, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND COMMAND

The appointment of Sin Andrew Russell to the command of the Now Zealand Division of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force has apparently brought satisfaction to all ranks under him, if we may judge by the expressions of opinion by officers and men who have returned from the front. The goodwill arid sympathy of subordinates is a sine qua non of efficient and successful work. Sik Andrew, as we remarked a day or two ago in extending our congratulations on his advancement, is well and favourably known in this, his country. He is a man of much more than average mental capacity, of quick perception and decision, and sound judgment: Moreover, he has in an especial degree the faculty of inspiring confidence in his subordinates. Consideration for subordinates begets enthusiastic service, and is quite consistent with strict discipline. There is, However, one feature of the modified arrangements with regard to our force at the front which it is somewhat difficult to understand, namely, why the capable officer in command has not complete control of the internal administration of the division. He received the groundwork of his military training in the Imperial Army, and showed his capacity from the beginning. He achieved the distinction of coming "first" outof Sandhurst, and his work at Gallipoli has earned the golden opinions of military experts.-. It seems clear enough that as. the outcome of the changes which have lately taken place, the internal administration of the division should now lie with him, and not with General Godley, who at present occupies the position originally held by . General Bird-wood. The New Zealand Force is, after all, a citizen army, and the view of the units in such a command is not quite that of the regular soldier. Sir Andrew Russell is himself a New Zealandcr, a Territorial, not a regular officer, and understands his New Zcalanders. AVhen war was declared, it was openly a matter of regret to many people in New Zealand that the New Zealand Expeditionary Force could not have been placed under a New Zealand officer. General Davies, the distinguished Now Zealand soldier, who has now a high British command in France, was mentioned in this connection, but circumstances put his selection out of the question. Sir Andrew Russell's appointment gives satisfaction to everyone in New Zealand, and now that General Godley has had his sphere of duty widened, the natural and proper course appears to be to make Sir Andrew' Russell's command of the New Zealand Division complete by extending to him authority over its internal administration. Possibly this course is to be followed. No doubt it would have the approval of the Government, for such an arrangement would give encouragement to the men under our New Zealand general, and so lead to increased efficiency. That there hfts been some dissatisfaction with the internal administration at the front is well known, and while we do not give credence to every tale that reaches us, and recognise that many of the complaints made may be ill-founded, yet the change suggested is not only the natural one in tho circumstances, but appears also to be a timely one to make. There arc many cases of capabk men paying their own passages from New Zealand to join Kitchener's Army, instead of enlisting hore. It is perhaps immaterial" in the Empirn'ji interest whorc» our men are I Ikhtimu but we should like to tee ■

every possible encouragement given to 2\lew Zeaianders to do their lighting in the ranks of the New Zealand Forces.