THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 319, 5 June 1911, Page 5

THE DEFENCE SCHEME.

GENERAL GODLEY AT GISBORNE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisbome, Last Night. Major-General Godlcy, Commandant ol the New Zealand Forces, arrived in Gieborne on Saturday. He is accompanied by his staff officer, Captain Thornton, and Lieut-Colonel Burnett-Stuart, director of military operations. Interviewed upon his arrival, Major-General Godley said he was touring the Dominion so as to become acquainted with as many citizens as possible, and find out the conditions existing in the various districts, and also to see how the work of registration was getting on and what the prospects are from a soldier's point of view. "I have found things very satisfactory indeed, so far," said the General. "Everywhere everyone seema most enthusiastic about the scheme, and there is nothing but help from all classes and conditions of men. The registration, I think, has been going on very satisfactorily on the whole. The only reason for the extension of time is for the convenience of those who live in the backblocks, and who have not the opportunity of hearing the conditions and understanding exactly what they have to do."

A civic reception was tendered MajorGeneral Godley in the Borough Council Chambers. Speeches were made by Messrs W. Pettie (Acting-Mayor) and J. W. Bright. Major-General Godlcy thanked them for their kind welcome, and in the course of his reply reviewed at considerable length the defence system, outlining the conditions of service. Subsequently he inspected the local district territorials, 254 strong, and expressed satisfaction with the appearance of the men of all ranks. While the parade was on, Major-Gen-eral Godley asked Colonel Porter, C.8.. to step forward, and presented him wit* the auxiliary forces' officers' Imperial decoration. He also made complimentary references to the excellent services rendered by Colonel Porter in the Imperial Army, the Maori wars and the South African war. Major-General Godlcy inspected the Garrison Hall, and was taken for a motor drive through tho surrounding country districts. He left for Auckland to-day at daybreak;.