LORD KITCHENER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 56, 15 June 1910, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER.

THE MEDITERRANEAN APPOINTMENT. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright, London, June 13. Mr. Haldane, Minister for War, in the House of Commons, said he greatly rejgretted the fact that Lord Kitchener did not desire to assume the Mediterranean appointment, which, in. Lord Kitchener's hands, would have been subject to certain modifications and additions. Mr. Haldane added that the duty of inspecting the forces overset, except in India, would be attached to the post, and it would be unnecessary to retain the title of High Commissioner of the Mediterranean. The name of the new holder of the position would be announced •hortly.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS. INSPECTION OP THE EMPIRE'S ? FORCES. . Received June 14, 10.30 p.m. London, June 14. In the House of Lords, Lords Middleton, Crom«r; and Grenfell ridiculed the High Commissionership in the Mediterranean, and declared that the existing officers were ample. Lord Lucas, replying, stated that the benefits resulting from Lord Kitchener's visit to Australia and New Zealand and General French's visit to Canada had proved the desirability that an officer of high rank and of distinguished service should systematically visit the dominions and inspect the forces. It was impossible to s,peak definitely at the moment, but useful results, would be produced if the next Colonial Conference agreed to utilise the services of the Com-mander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean.

Answering Lord Lansdowne, Earl Crewe, Secretary of State for the. Colonies, explained that it was for the doninions to say whether they would join the proposed plan of Imperial inspection.