MILITARY MATTERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 910, 1 September 1910, Page 5

MILITARY MATTERS.

COLONEL DAVIES'S APPOINTMENT. TRAINING OF OFFICERS IN NEW ZEALAND. .•. •■"■ ■ : ; Further reference to the new appointment which has been received by Colonel Daries .at Alders'hot' ;was made" in the House of Representatives by 'Mr. Allen, M.P. for Bruce, yesterday. He said that the Prime Minister had told the House that Colonel Daries's new appointment was a permanent one. On. the other hand he had reason to believe that the appointment was for four years. Then again it had been reported in the prear that it was probable that Colonel Davies would be made Commandant of the New Zealand Forces at the conclusion of the term. Sir Joseph Ward: I never made such a statement at any time. Mr. Allen: No. I said it was so reported in a newspaper. Sir Joseph: You can't, always rely on what appears , in the press. Mr. Allen: All I wanted to know ,was whether such a possibility was in your mind. 3?or myself, I would not mind ■ if he were to come back as commandant. .■•'■■•. ••■"■" L \ Mr. Allen also referred to the reply which'the Government had given to a question by Mr. Rhodes as, 'to whether assistance would-be given ;.with-a view to the establishment of a chair of military science in New Zealand. He- did not see that the proposed chair of military science for New Zealand had anything to do with the proposed military 'college'for'Australia. . . '. .■"';■ The Prime Minister stated that it was quite true \ that the military college in Australia was for the,training of officers, but at that college th« number of New Zealand officers would be limited. ■ There was the question of the children of the poorer people receiving the same chance of such training as the children of.rich people. If ■ such'a chair were established only .in Christchurch, ' what about the young people in Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin? They would bo unable to. avail themselves of the chair there, unless someone paid the cost of their being away from home. It seemed to him that an effort would : have to.be made .to secure training classes at the/ four centres without undue, edst. on the iitudents. Definite action must necessarily await the details "in to the military- college in Australia.! -/ : ; ■■/■■' Continuing.his.,remarks the Prime Minister, said i.that Colonel Davies's" appoint-, ment , was. permanent as. : ;far : as was known. .-.-."■. . . ,■■ ' \ ~;■ • ''. Mr. Massey: Is it: for "any' particular term? .:-;'■ ■ -.'■■ ■ V.,.V -,•.: — V':' '.Sir Joseph Ward: I cannot say. As far 'as we understand the position it is permanent.., He .has resigned; his .position here, and lias , joined the British Army. . Mr. Allen: Is'■ it for four years?.'>" . ' Sir' Joseph' Ward: I do not know. There is no arrangement of any kind under which Colonel Davies'will return toNew Zealand as commandant at the end of his term of service; at Aldershot. In the course of further remarks of. a similar nature Sir Joseph Ward stated that he ;■ hoped to be able to announce the' name !of the new .commandant to. the House in a few'days.... ..'."'".: : ■"-./'■