The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 21, 1902.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 421, 21 May 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MAY 21, 1902.

TWO WAR OFFICES. Recently the Premier of New Zealand adversely criticised the British War Office, and it was thought at the time that the comments were justified. It is evident, however, that the New Zealand War Office is in need of being roused up, and as Colonel Newall is in Gisborne this morning, now is an opportune time to call attention to the matter. A few months ago a series of articles by Captain King was published in the Gisborne Times. They gave suggestions by that gentleman with a view to improved methods of training. The suggestions were largely based on the lessons gained in South Africa, and certainly were adjudged by competent military men to be well worthy of the attention of the authorities. The articles were forwarded to Colonel Ne- : wall, among others, but instead of an acknowledgement by return of post, a reply is still being awaited. In striking contrast with that seeming neglect or discourtesy, it may be mentioned that by return of mail a reply was received from Lord Kitchener, thanking Captain King. Further than that, a reply has now been received from Lord Roberts, the letter being signed by the Commander-in-Chief himself. In the letter he shows the opinion held in regard to the suggestions by mentioning that some have been embodied in the new “Infantry Training.” The letter is as follows : “ War Office, London, 3.W., 10th April, 1002, . “ Dear Sir—- “ I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the oth February, and to assure you that I have read with interest the suggestions you have put forward with regard to Infantry Drill. I will not enter into detail of all you suggest, but I may aay broadly that many of the suggestions you advocate are now comprised in the new 1 Infantry Training.’ Most careful attention has been paid to the simplification of drill, and close order drill has been reduced to a few essential movements. With regard to the development ot Company and Section command, in future the Company is to be the tactical unit, and as it, stands 011 parade in column of sections this affords opportunity for section command by their own commanders. In fact, I

may say generally that- it has been the endeavor of those responsible for the drill of the Army to provide >rom the experience learnt in the South African war a new Infantry training whicli shall be alike simple and practical, and I think that when those who, like yourself, are interested in it, have an opportunity of seeing it, you will realise Hie attention which has been given to the subject. “ ROBERTS, F M.” Captain King would no doubt feel a little hurt that there should be no reply from the New Zealand War Office ; but in any case such a reply would not have had much value as compared with the reply from Lord Roberts. It has often been remarked that suggestions from within the colony are not always sufficiently valued, and 'in the case under notice there is good proof of that belief. It would be interesting, while Colonel Newall is in the district to get an explanation of how it was that the letter sent was ignored. If there was any reason for not giving it attention, it- would be as well that the reason should be made known to the public, or other people are not likely to go to the trouble that Captain King did in this case.