NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 336, 11 March 1910, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE

i LORD KITCHENER'S REPORT. •AUSTRALIAN REPORT APPLIES TO ' NEW ZEALAND. I UNIFORMITY ADVISABLE. By Telegraph. —Press Association. Rotonua, Wednesday. The Field-Marshal's report in the

main consists of an application to New f Zealand of part one oi his Australian s defence report, but it is accompanied 1 by the following covering letter, dated ( March 2, addressed to Sir Joseph Ward: 1 "Dear Sir Joseph Ward, —1 do not j think it is' necessary to write you a ] special memorandum oil the defence of New Zealand, as from what I have seen during my inspection the neces- i

sity for improved training is just as equally marked in this country as it is in Australia. It appears to me that for your land forces' New Zealand and Australia should adopt homogeneous military systems, in or-

der to he able to efficiently support one another in the event of national danger. The desirability of such cooperation is evident by reason of the geographical position of the two countries. Moreover, the young men

of New Zealand and Australia, though showing some markedly different characteristics, are in both countries splendid material for creating a first-rate fighting machine, for the conditions of their country life are very similar, producing successful pioneers, accustomed to make the land supply the wants of mail. 1 think, therefore, that uniformity in training and establishments of units, as well as the closest ties of comradeship in tlie armed land forces of New Zealand and Australia should be

fostered in every way. These considerations point to New Zealand sending thoste cadets destined to be instructors of her citizens to the Australian West Point College, which I (have recommended the Commoiwealth Government "should institute, and which I believe they are about •to establish. It is quite evident tlr-.t the wants' of New Zealand in this respect are not sufficient to create a college where training of the nature required can be properly imparted. This win be seen from the fact that, working oil the lines suggested for Australia, a suitable number of areas for New Zealand would

be about fifty-five, i.e., approximately thirty in the North and twentyfive in the South Island. Each area should, of course, provide the same quotas, 1 as is recommended for Australia, and it follows that the permanent instructional officers required for area work alone would be fifty-nve

subalterns and captains and six majors. The thirty permanent officers now employed \tith the permanent forces, district and headquarters' staffs will also be wanted. I should therefore recommend an eventual establishment for the New Zealand staff corps of a. hundred offers, bein,, the ninety-one acco«i 'led ior

above, plus ten per cent, to lor the deputation of officers to tram with units in India and in the United Kingdom, sickness, etc. By rani?, tliis establishment will work out at colonels 3, lieui.-eoloneis 6, majors 13, captains 29, lieutenants' 52, total 100. The maintenance of this number will require an annual supply of about five officers, so that to allow for the selection of the best men I would recommend that New Zealand s'houid send ten cadets annually to the Australian College, from whom five would ultimately be chosen for commission on the staff corps. You have so recently had the views of the War Office on the land forces of New Zealand that 1 do not deem it necessary to point out the considerations which govern the defence of Uis dominion. You iwill find, however, : hat pait

one of the project which I gave to the Commonwealth Government, »ud which I now enclose and recommend to you, does not differ from the Yv'ar Office memorandum in any matters of importance, but it will, 1 hope, afford you a practical scheme tor giving effect to your defence measures. At the risk of repetition I wis.r again to emphasise the importance of placing the ideal of your defence on as' higii a standard of efficiency as possible, iii order that the men serving, as well as the public, may have a just pridfe in the lighting value of the force, and so insist upon the observance of the important principle that defence should be outside party politics and not used by individuals for political purposes. A thoroughly trained and efficiently equipped loi'ce should be the supreme object of your efforts, and no personal consideration should for a moment be allowed to stand in the way. It oniy remains for me to thank you most sincerely for the facilities' afforded nie on my

visit and for the assistance which I, have everywhere received in the in-; spection of your defences and troops. I shall always remembr with mucji gratification my association with the troops of this dominion. I shall follow their progress with the keenest interest, nd I shall be only too glad at any time to give such further advice or assistance as may be in my power. I forward herewith a sepai - ate confidential communication on the subject of the fixed defences of New Zealand. —Yours very truly, Kitchener.