THE EMPIRE’S DEFENCES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2152, 7 August 1907, Page 2

THE EMPIRE’S DEFENCES.

WHAT THE INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT IS DOING.

ATTENTION TO THE OUTPOSTS

(Special to Times.)

~ WELLINGTON, August 6. Major Johnston, the artillery officer who did good work during his 'term of office in New Zealand, is now back in England and writes to Captain Richardson, of the permanent staff, stat,n S that' the AVar Office is now closelv -vat-ehing everything that takes place •ii the oversea portion of the Empire, and is endeavoring to ascertain the needs and aspirations of each component part in the matter of defence. At present the War Office knows more about New Zealand than the average resident of the colony. At a volunteer meeting last night a reference to the same topic was made by Lieutenant-Col. Campbell. J lie discovery was made during tlie Boer war, he said, that the British Army s Intelligence Department was not- as serviceable as it should have been and with a resolve to better this there bad already been great- alterations made. It was not 'only in re:ard to tho outposts of the Empire jt in respect of every country of ny importance in the world that this titered method was noticeable and it was now the case that no matter what power Great Britain might go to war with she would have a very good idea ot what the country’s strength resources and weaknesses wore, ’ and would be able to decide upon the plan of compaign that would give the greatest chance ol success. There was an intelligent system adopted .for ascertaining colon* public opinion and aspirations c every newspaper of any importance was scanned and the speeches of public men were gone through with carefulness and regularity.