"BE PREPARED"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 303, 16 September 1920, Page 5

"BE PREPARED"

DEFENCE OF THE DOMINION

MAKING THE NATION FIT

SPEECHES AT OFFICERS' REUNION

, Yesterday was the .anniversary of the /opening of the Battle of the Snmme in 1916, and to mark the occasion tho Wollii.gton United Service Officers' Club held a reunion smoke concert in Dustin's

rooms last nisht. Liout.-Coloncl E. St. J. Beore, D.5.0., presided, and thero was nu attendance of about 200, including Major-General Sir Edward C'lmytor! K.C.M.G., K.C.V.0., C.B. (General Officer Commanding New Zqaluud Forces), ISrigiidier-General G. S. Richardson, C 8., C.M.G., C.B.E. (General Officer in Charge of Administration), the Hon. Major J. G. Coates, M.C. (Minister of Public Works), Colonel the Hon. G. S.'Smith, C.M.G., D.5.0., Colonel G. Mitchell, D.5.0., M.P., Colonel C. W. Melvill, C.8., C.M.G., D.S.O. (Officer Commanding the Wellington District), Colonel E. J, Ooili.ns, C.M.G., and Licuteiinnt-Colonol W. L. H. Burgess, C.8., C.M.G., D.S.O. (who commanded an Australian brigado in France with tho rank of brigadiergeneral) Several apologies for absence were received, including one from MajorGeneral Sir Andrew Russell, who commanded the New Zealand Division, and who is at present suffering from an attack of influenza.

Tho toast of the "New Zealand Division" was proposed by Major-General Chaytor, who said that the Mounted Brigado were always proud of the division, whose doings were always followed with tho greatest interest by the mounted men. Some of the latter became very envious of tho division, and wanted to enlist in its ranks, the only thing that held them back bomg the thought that perhaps they might go to fight in Bulgaria after the Turks had collapsed. General Chaytor urged all those officers and men who had mirred with the 'division to show practical interest'in tho Territorials by giving them tho advantages of tho trainingand experience that they themselves had received. No one who had been on active service wanted war again, but there was no guarantee that war would not break out once more. The only thing for the country to do was to ha prepared against the day cf danger. If they wanted the nation to be stronj; they must induce the youth of tho country to tako up physical training. Before long they hopod . that the defence policy of the Dominion would be enuncio.ted,~'and he therefore appealed to all those who had served in the war to come forward and help in the training of tha Territorial force;

At General Chny tor's call the gathering, drank the toast of "Tho Division" and that of its commander (Major-Genoral Sir Andrew Russell) with enthusiasm.

Inculcating the Right Spirit, Reply to the toast was made by Colonel Melvill, who referred to the various fights in which eachof tho brigades of the division had distinguished itself. Tho speaker hoped that all the officers would take an interest in the future of the New Zealand Defenco Forces. By inculcating (lie right spirit into the youth of the Dominion they would bo able to build up an effi. cient force. One of tho main things they had to do wag to prepare for wur, and in this connection he disagreed wilth tho views expressed by one speaker ot Tuesday night's meeting of the Wellington Presbytery, who had said that preparation for war did not act as n preventive of hostilities. They had the country at their back, and he felt it was only a mattev of time before they would be ablo to show that the money spent on not being wasted. (Applause.) The outlook in the world was not very bright, and this was not the tinie to talk about a reduction in defensive measures. (Hear, hear.) Liieut.-Colonel Mitchell proposed tho toast of the "Mounted Brigade." The division was pfoud of what the" Mounted Brigade had done, and the speaker thougnt- it 'entirely fitting that the officer who had commanded the. mounted troops in Palestine should now bo commanding the defence forces of New Zealand. (Applause.) Colonel Mitchell urged upon all present not to withhold the benefits of their experience from tha Territorial force.

Lieutenant-Colonel) C. G. Powles C.M.G., D.5.0., replied to the toast. The 17,763 men sent from New Zenlnnd lo tho Mounted Brigade, be said, were the best that the Dominion had dispatched. • Value of Sea Power. "The Navy." counted with the "Mercantile Marine.", was proposed by Bric-adier-General Kichardson. The indebtedness if the Army to the senior service was very great indeed, he said. TVy should inculcate the store of the notion's 6oa power into the minds of the children, and if he had his way be would have a picture depictine ihe surrender of the German Fleet huns: in every school. Tho Navy, hnd done its task silently, but magnificently, and would ever bo ready to repeat itself. If New Zealand was to maintain her position in the Empire 6be should ever have hor naval and military forces ready for action. New Zealanders who had served abroad knew the value of naval protection. General Eichardson said ho was very pleased that Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Jellicoe had been appointed Governor-General of the Dominion, for his presence here would serve to keep alivo the enthusiasm lor a stroner Navy. (Applause.* Liout.-Commaudor W. Eamshaw, E.N., replied to the tonsti of "The Navy." He felt suro that there would never be any shortage of men from New Zealand for'service'nfloat. (Applause.)

Lieutenant D. Bauchop, R.N.V.R., also replied to the toast, givilng some interesting details regarding the work of the Mining Service during the war. The British Armv Tho Hon. 'J. G. Coates proposed the toast of the "British Army," first apologising for the absence of the Minister of Defence (Hon. Sir Heato". Rhodes). It was. with feelings of pride, he said, that New Zealanders hnd been associated with the Imperial the "puckor soldier." They owed a lot to those line Imperial regiments who had done so much for the British Empire and they could not do wrong in following the example they had set. They should see that tho story of the deeds of the British Army were handed down to'posterity. (Hear, hear.) The success of the British armies was duo to a. large extent to the pride the men had in their units and the excellent feelings that existed between the officers and the men. Parliament had recognised almost unanimously that New Zealand must have some system of defence, and that was a very pleasing feature to note. Expenditure on defence could not. Ire lavish, but tho nrin•eiplo of compulsory universal service should be adhered to. (Applause.) I Response was made by Major 0. Stamp | Taylor, M.C. (Northumberland Fusi--1 liers). Major E. Puttick, D.5.0., proposed the toast of "Absent 'Mends." "The Australian Imperial Force" was proposed by Colonel «>lhe Hon, G. S. Smith, C.M.G., D.S.O. Tim Australian Force had achieved renown just ns much as any other force, ho said. (Applause.) Tho only fault of tho Australians was that they were too reckless, but they had achieved a glorious record, of which they were all proud. (Applause.) New Zealand and Australia held their lands as trustees for tho Empire, and if that fact were recognised, there should nover bo any fear regarding tho raising of an efficVent defer.ee forco. (Hear, hear.) Australia was snowline .C 7.800.000 on naval, land, and air defence as compared with .£4.645,000 in :014. If New Zealand were to spend a proportionate amount her expenditure would bo ,£1,900,000. In Australia, 31s. per head was being opent on land defence, and in New Zealand 13s. The naval expenditure per bead in Australia umauitcd in 135., whereon i.i New Zealand it totalled only about 10s. Australia bad recognised that tho storm centre had .shifted to the Pacific, ! and 6ho was taking steps to meet the j situdtion. Colonel Smith concluded by (ippoaling that New Zeabm'd would do hor utmost in the direction of providing adequate land and air defonces. Lioutonnnt-Coloiiel Burgess, who replied to the toast, 6aid there was now a strong bond of union between tiw Austidlaas

and the New Zealanders, which had been l'crged on tho field of battle, deferring to the future, Colonel Burgess urged that the policy of tho Pacific should bo reconstructed soundly, and lie stressed the need for making the land forces as efficient as possible. (Applnuuso.) ■ Lieutenant Elder, of tho A.1.F., also replied to the least. ■ "Tho Air Force" was proposed by Lieutenant-Colonel N. W. B. B. Thorns, D.5.0., M.C., Who remarked that the indications, pointed to air power being the decisive factor in the next war. Tho British air service was .by far tho best organised air force during tho war, and they could all bo proud of tho exploits of the British airmen. (Applause.) 'Major A. do ]]. Brandon, D.5.0., and Cnptain Russell, D.F.C., responded to the toast. Lieutenant W. Perry proposed the toast of "The Ladies," mid reply was made by Captain W. 11. Bell ('Group Commander). During tho evening a programme of musical nnd elocutionary items was provided by: Major P. St. J. Keenan, Captain M. Galloway, M.C., Lieut. L. W. Bizloy (A.1.F.), Captain A. B. Siovwright, Lieut. K. E. Luke, Captain D. Isnacs, Captain V. L. M'Alistor, M.C., Captain D. 0. Armstrong, M.C., and Lieut. V. C. Carter, M.C.