THE KING'S ARMY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13333, 27 January 1909, Page 7

THE KING'S ARMY.

A NEW ZEALANDER'S IMPRESSIONS. (SPECI.—, TO "THE PBESS.") WELLINGTON, January 26. Everybody has read of or heard of "Hakhuio's Territorials," but- thero aro not many in New Zealand who, in their travels abroad, havo made it their business to see them and study tho wonderful organisation which was evolved from the brain of one of the keenest lawyers in England, Mr R. B. Haldane, K.C., now politically distinguished as tho lU. Hon. It. B. Haldane, British Secretary of State for War. Tho story of the passing of the Volunteer system iv Great Britain, and the evolution of tho "Territorialist volunterrier," alias "Terrior," alias "Last ditcher," is already well known. For Ha—lane's territorial army everyone almost predicted di__ster iv the beginning but Mr Haldane. Even in New Zealand competent military critics forecast od au early deniiso for a scheme which iv mauy respects was almost ievolutionary in character, and in tho early stages of tho scheme the partial failure ot the enlistments almost pointed to that pessimistic conclusion. Tho numbers foil .short <>!' public expectations and ot Mr Haidaiie'.s expectation. Even now people ait. beginning to reilect that uic now organisation has, utter all, tho savin- element of vitality in its constitution, avid that tho man behind it all knows more about tho business of running an army than was popularly suspected. By the lonic tnero returned to the Dominion the Hon. G. J. Smith, M.L.C., and family. Mr Smith's hobby is military defence. Ho is an ardent supporter of tho principles of universal military training, as the country is no doubt aware, and while in England he was at special pains to investigate for bimselt the truth about the. territorials, and, speaking generally has returned to New Zealand very favourably impressed with Mr Haldane s organisation. A representative ?! the "Dominion" interviewed the Hon. Mr Smith on board the liner, and gathered from him some very interesting impressions of Britain's army of home defence and its creator. "1 had the pleasure of dining with Mr Haldane while in London," said Mr Smith, •and also of chatting with him at his oihee in Whitehall."

"What were your impressions of tho man, Mr Smith?"

"* l . r . Haldane is a remarkable man, a striking personality," replied Mr Smith. "His intellect is keen, and his grasp of affairs is astounding. For example, he astonished mc with his intimate acquaintance with our old native land laws. I made some remark about it, and he explained with a smile that as a. Privy Councillor our native legislation frequently came under his notice, and he remembered its salient features. I was also introduced at Whitehall to Major-General J. S. Ewart, C.8., Director of Military Operations, and Brigadier-General \. J. Murray, C.V.0., C.8., D.5.0., Director of Military Training, who very kindly invited mc to spend a week in camp with the Territorials at Walruer Castle, Kent, an invitation which I readily accepted. "I attached myself to the staff of the Tenth Brigade,- said Mr Smith, "and spent an enjoyable week with them."

"And what did you think of the Territorial?"

"Well, 1 liked what I saw of him. Ho is very obedient, amenable to discipline, and well trained. The ©nicer commanding this particular brigade was a keen soldier, worked hard himself, and got hard work out of his men. The reveille was sounded at 4 a.m., and .the men were kept hard at work until 1 p.m. Altogether, about six hours' drill was done by the brigade in the morning. In the afternoon tho men were at liberty, while tho officers mot for the purpose of discussing tho morning's work, andi a portion of each afternoon was devoted to lectures. All the same I oelievo that the New Zealand soldier, with his freer initiative and greater independence, would be a better man iv war, although ho would be none the worse for being more severely disciplined. Discipline tells." "Then you think that tho Territorial Army is a sucoa —?"

"It is certainly a long way better than tlie old condition of things, ine volunteer army was in a state of chaos. Mr Haldane has evolved from chaos a composite army of Homo defence, complete in every essential of the organisation required for such a purpose. Everything is thoroughly organised."

"This Territorial Army then," said the reporter, "is an advance along the line which leads to universal military training? It is really educating the public iii the elementary principles of national defence?"

"Mr Haldane docs not look at it in that light," said Mr Smith.

"But it would not be so difficult to convert the people to the idea of universal military training if it could be shown that the Territorial Army system was not irksome?" suggested the reporter.

"Oh, no; I think not. Indeed, there is no doubt in my mind that such a system must come," agreed Mr Smith. "A good deal of tho initial lack of success in the enlistments for the Territorial Army was due to public misconceptions regarding its system and regulations. Mr Haldane, realising this, has written a book dealing with tho organisation of his army, and explaining the details of its system. This book is now in the press, and will shortly be published."

Mr Smith was unable, on account of a family bereavement, to extend his tour to Europe, and so was unable to express any opinion regarding the _ys~ t-ems of military training in vogue, on tin: Continent.