LORD KITCHENER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9991, 10 March 1910, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER.

HIS REPORT ON N.™ ZEALAND. PREMIERS' OPINION. By Telegraph-rPress Association! ROTORUA, March 9. Lord Kitchener's report upon the New Zeaalnd defence is mainly composed of part of his Australian report, and is accompained by a covering men.o. The gist is as follows:—Lord Kitchener considers the necessity for improved training in this country is equally as marked as in Australia. He considers that for land force New Zealand and Australia should adopt homogeneous military systems so as to be able to support one another in the event of a national danger. He suggests sending cadets destined to be instructors in New Zealand to the Australian West Point Military College, and proposes for New Zealand 55 areas. 30 in tit North and 25 in the South Island, so as to provide the same quota as recommended for the Australian permanent instructional officers. Lord Kitchener recommends the eventual establishment for New Zealand of a staff corps of one hundred officers, including ten per cent, for deputation strain with the units in India and the United Kingdom, and for sickness, etc., suggests sending 10 cadets annually to the Ausrtahan College from whom five would be chosen for commissions in staff corps. Lord Kitchener emphasises the importance of a high standard of efficiency, and that defence matters should be kept outside of party politics.

In the course of an interview on the Field Marshal's report, Sir Joesph Ward discussed the probable cost to the Dominion of the adoption of the scheme. He estimated it roughly at £470,000 per year. By the time it should have been in operation, seven years, this included a margin for safety of £25,000. He added that the total provision in this year's estimates for New Zealand Defence was £202,618, besides an additional £150,000 spread over three years. The Prime Minister concluded that to put the scheme into full operation would cost New Zealand an additional £25,000 per year at first, and £125,000 per year in seven years'' time Sir Joseph thought the people of New Zealand would agree that if we were to have an effective system of defence f< r New Zealand, Lord Kitchener's report should be accepted as lines upon which we should go. He did not anticipate any increased taxation would be necessary to bear the eost of the scheme, and bringing it into force. Sir Joseph supported Lord Kitchener's views as to the humogeneous military system for New Zealand and Australia. As to military colleges,, and the desirability of keeping the question outside party politics, full details and comparisons with Lord Kitchener's scheme and the War Office proposals were, he said, baing prepared for Parliament. Lord Kitchener's report on the harbour defences he would not disclose, these being confidential.