THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 221, 6 February 1913, Page 8

THE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

GENERAL GODLEY INTERVIEWED.

(Per Press Association). Chriistchurch, Last Night. At the conclusion of the inspection of the Senior Cadets last night a reporter liad a brief interview with General Godley, Commandant of the New Zealand Defence Forceij. The first subject mentioned was the staff ride which was held in the South Island last week. The General stated that it was in every way a success. The officers had entered into the project whole-heartedly and excellent work had been done. An interesting scheme had been drawn up and the task set the officers was a heavy one. The ride had finished on Saturday, and he was very pleased with it. A recent cablegram from London to the effect that the Hon. Jas. Allen, Minister of Defence, had expressed a hope that New Zealand would place an expeditionary force of 8000 men at the disof the Imperial authorities for service in any part of the globe was mentioned, and the General was asked to make a statement regarding it. "I hope it ig quite clear to everybody," the General stated, "that this message only refers to volunteers—to those who 'in the event of war would volunteer for service outside New Zealand in the same way as the contingents did in South Coiw F Gefteral Godley added, "of any member of a citizen army being sent abroad in a miliNo one would leave New ia ri/fn exc % t as volunteers. About 10,000 men went to South Africa during the Boer War, .and Mr. Allefi had evidently felt perfectly safe in estimating that a force of 8000 would be available sliould similar circumstances arise I .'''