MILITARY NOMENCLATURE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16207, 9 May 1918, Page 3

MILITARY NOMENCLATURE.

THE NEED FOR A CHANGE

"There will have to be many drastic changes before military nomenclature is at all intelligible," stated Colonel Tate, adjutant-general, before tho Defence Commission at "Wellington on Monday.

Sir ltobert Anderson stated that many of the titles now existing failed to convey anything. "Take your own case, Colonel Tate," he said. "You are adjutant-general;- what does it mean.'" Colonel Tate admitted that it would bo difficult to say why an officer with his duties should be called adjutantgeneral. Instead of trying to explain he quoted another anomaly. Tho Director of Ordnance Stores, he said, had nothing to do with ordnance. Sir Robert Anderson: "And why a Director of Personal ServicesY. Does that title convey the officer's duties?"

Colonel Tate: "No. We followed the British example." The term quarter-master-general was then mentioned, and an attempt made to trace its history, which, it wis asserted, went back to the davs of the bow and arrow. Of course, the duties had changed, out the title was tho same.

Sir Robert Anderson; 'Why not lead the world in bringing about changes— the adoption of intelligent titles?" Colonel Tate: "1 am afraid such a step taken in a little corner of the world like New Zealand would have little effect."

Sir Robert: "Try it. Give it a go. You will find the whole world glad to follow you."