IMPERIAL OFFICERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 5

IMPERIAL OFFICERS.

COLONEL HEARD LEAVING.

THE VALUE OF TRAINING. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, February 25.

Colonel E. S. Heard, of the Imperial General Staff, who has been attached to the headquarters staff of the. New Zealand military forces for nearly four years as director of staff duties and military training, will return to England next July, upon completion of his term if service under the New Zealand Government. His approaching departure was mentioned by Colonel Porter, C. 8., who presided at the Seventh Contingent old members' dinner last night. Colonel Porter (who was in charge of the Contingent at the Bothasberg fight inV 1902) -remarked that the dominion owed a good deal to the assiduity, tact and capability of such Imperial officers as General Godley and Colonel Heard. There was a prejudice among some colonials against Imperial officers, the idea being that New Zealand could get on quite well without them.' He was on the retired list, and could consequently speak quite impartially, and his opinion was that the prejudice was not justified. Colonel Heard, in the course of a response to a toast, urged ex-contin-genters to assist the Territorial scheme by joining the Territorial Reserve. Only those who had seen Imperial offi r cers at it could realise how much training they underwent nowadays. He was personally very glad to bo able to assist in making; the dominion s forces as effective as possible. It was a matter of great interest to an Imperial officer to be associated with the universal training system, and it was very comforting to,- see the work of their hands growing year by year. He would not, because, unfortunately, he would not be in New Zealand, but a few years would show a great improvement in the Territorials and Cadets, and this,country would, if need arose; be able to' put an excellent force into the field// As ex-contingenters,, his hearers knew the value'of training; in war. Unless men were well trained in peace time the result in war would be a fearful sacrifice of blood and tears, the blood of the untrained men and the tears of those who mourned at home. There were sixty members of the Seventh Contingent at the dinner, many coming from distant parts of the countoy to fraternise once more with their old comrades.