OUR DEFENCES.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIX, Issue 56, 25 February 1913, Page 2

OUR DEFENCES.

WELLINGTON, Feb. 21. Major-General GocLey (Commandant the Forces) inspected the Garrison Artillery companies this morning and witnessed the battle practice carried out ut the forts as the finale of the annual training camp. General Godley afterwards addressed the men on the subject of the manoeuvres and expressed pleasure at the intelligent methods displayed by those taking part in the day's operations. It is reported that a section of one company engaged in the operations in bile Hutt Valley found the trekking rather, rough and that they refused to lord the river when) ordered to do so because they were footsore and unwilling to tack e the stony bed of the Hutt llivor. They were sent'back to camp and will face the nmsic of an "orderlyroom" to-morrow.

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. AUCKLAND, Feb. 21. The honorary organiser of the Overseas, Club (Mr Evelyn Wrench), accompanied by Miss Wrench, returned to Auckland to-day after a 14-weeks' tour through the Dominion. Mr Wrench made many interesting observations appertaining to defence. Asked for his opinion on the compulsory military training law of the Dominion, he said that he was delighted with the way people were entering into it. "Even die lads themselves," lie said, "are taking a keen interest in their military work, and that is an excellent sign. I have read and heard a good deal about opposition to the scheme, but as far as I cou.'d see there is very little and what there is seems to be diminishing. Coming to the subject of naval defence. Mr Wrench said that as far as the New Zealand position was concerned affairs were in a rather nebulous state, 'out he had no doubt that ultimately a Pacific fleet would be the solution of the whole problem—a fleet made up from Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The idea that New Zealand would be sufficiently protected by a small division of the China Fleet was only tinkering with the whole naval question. After Mr Allen's visit hoi#e, however, Mr Wrench had no doubt that satisfactory arrangements regarding the whole question of Pacific naval defence would be arrived at.