COUNCIL OF DEFENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1961, 18 December 1906, Page 3

COUNCIL OF DEFENCE

PRESS ASSOCIATION Wellington, last night. Ths Council of Defence under tho Defence Act of bias sossion will be oonstiiiifod ns follows: Tho Minister for Defence, Hoa. Sir J, G. Ward ; first military member, General A. W. Kobin, 0.8. ; second military member, not yet named ; financial member, Ot'loni 1 R, .1. Collins; souretary, Colonel W. H, Webb The Inspiciov-General will ba Colonel B, H. Davies, O B.

Sir Joseph Ward, at « banquet tendered to the Promier of Tasmania to-nigbt, announoed tbe personnel of tho Council. Ho said there was nothing on ths horizen at present to necessitate any particular aotivity in regard to defence, bui Government. acting under the authority of Parliament, was now bringing tbo now system of defence into operation. Tho old plan of having commandants sent from Homo was bring i sohauged for an improved system which they believed would

bo more suited to cur own rrquiremon’

and more acceptable to tbo people. Ho was persuaded hiiu-elf that it would be found

superior frem many points of view to wbai sb:y h.-d in tbo past. Ho paid a tribute to she officers who had oarriad cut tbe responsible duties of commandant in the past, and particularly to genera! Bab-

.oglon. The Gevemmsnt recognised tha ibo cilony ought to keep tbo link of at-

tachment with the Imperial Government, and wish tbo War Office. While making a ekaDge in the system, it was important • tha! there should bo a highly-trained Imperial officer as member of the Council, though net as its chief, or having individual responsibility. The Minister for Defence would preside at meetings of the Oounoil, tbe chief of the general staff would have assigned to him wbat would be termed tbe military operations, traioiDg and educating tbe staff in tbe duties of mobilisation. He would have id bis branch tho Bohools of instruc

tion. The Inspector General would be the eyes and ears of the Cjunoil. He would be required to inepeot and report

frem time to time upon tbo work of organisation. Upon him would devolve the responsibility for a very large expenditure necesjary to ensure efficiency. He looked forward to tbo spread of enthusiasm when this high efficisnoy was attained.