CITIZEN SOLDIERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 15, 19 January 1910, Page 10

CITIZEN SOLDIERS.

SPEECH BY LORD KITCHENER. A HIGH IDEAL. In responding to the toast of his health at the banquet given in his honour at Melbourne by the, Federal Government, Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener, who, on rising, received a tremendous ©v ation, said : — ''Your Excellencies, Mr. Prime Minister, and Gentleman: I wish, in the first place, to thank the Government of the Common-wealth for their invitation to visit Australia, and for the eomplimentthey have paid me in asking that after seeing the citizen forces of this country I should give them the benefit of my experience in military matters. During my stay in Australia L have been much Btruck by the very strong and widespread determination which exists in_.the country to have an efficient citizen force, and also by the hopes that I have often, heard expressed that the Defence Bill, which 'you have - so recently passed through Parliament, will be the foundation on which such a force will be established and maintained. Thau Bill postulates (he recognition by the citizen and by the State of the primary principle that it is the duty of every ablebodied man to be trained to defend his country on land or sea. (Cheers.) It is no easy task for a newcomer, * unaware of the many interests involved, and 'ocal difficulties to pc met, to make recommendations which will, in the most economical and advisable manner, produce the national force you require, and I hope that any shortcomings of mine, when I am to. formulate my ideas on paper, will be overlooked. WANT OF POPULATION. "The want of population generally — (hear, hear)— and specially in many parts of this splendid country, is a difficulty that has to be carefully considered; but I think I may say that what you have got is first-rate ' material on which to work. (Cheers.) In no other country in the world, as far as I know, do vne young men show such natural military qualifications on which, to base their military career. A great deal of training , that would, in the ordinary course, have cO be supplied to obtain an efficient soldier is already part of the daily life of many of your lads, and the work done in the cadet corps is a most excellent preparation for the more serious adult training which will eventually turn out your citizen soldiers. Ido not wish on this occasion, before my inspection is complete, or my ideas in any way crystallised, to say anything definite about the organisation I would propose ; bub I think I may mention shortly a few points that I consider are of importance. NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS. "In the first place, 1 think yon should carefully preserve those excellent national characteristics of ' young Australia which, I hope, will always remain a ieature in the military life of yoixr young men. I have heard it mentioned that discipline may be wanting ; but I do not think you need fear this amongst thoroughly trained Australian troops. They may have their own specia' methods and manner of expressing themselves, but. gentlemen, discipline does not depend upon any ehibboleth of that sort. Discipline is undoubtedly a most essential and most important part of all military life, and it is absolutely necessary for success in war. I feel sure every true Australian soldier will know and realise that unhesitating, uncritical, and willing obedience to all lawful authority does iiot entail servility to any individual. (Great cheering 1 .) HIGH-CLASS MILITARY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. "It is to my minfcl essential that you should establish a high-class- primary ; military educational system, in order that your officers, particularly the in- j Btructional officers, should be thoroughly f rounded in their profession, so as to c able to teach both officers and men with the authority of complete military knowledge. (Cheers.) I cannot help feeling strongly that no second-rate military standard in this country will appeal with any permanence to the people, who under this Bill will take pai't m your military development. You may get on for a time — but unless you place your ideal of the military value ot the national forces high, you wil l find that the day wil' cohie when the security of this country will have degenerated to a very low ebb. Soldiers must take a pride in their efficiency, and respect themselves as a fighting force, thoroughly educated, trained, and equipped, «nd ready for the field. , STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY. "There is no reason, as far as I can see, why tho national forces of Australia should not make theii: standard of efficiency on a par with, if not higher than, those of the military powers in Europe or elsewhere. (Cheers.) It will be apparent to you gentlemen that a system which is designed to produce such a force as I have described must be of slow growth. You cannot expect immediate results if you aim at a high idea. Time wilh be necessary for the new methods to take effect, and during the period of transition you will have to devise means to gradually lead up to an improved organisation without interfering with its development. I have said elsewhere that all shams and uselessness should be abolished, and I would add that all unnecessary expense must be avoided. If this is thoroughly done, I do not think that a national army, organised on sound lines, need bring an undue strain of the financial . resources of this country. I have to i express my sincere thanks to my friend, the Minister for Defence, for the help he has afforded me, and for the forethought and care with which he has arranged for me to see the troops in their various camps, and I also wish to thank you, Mr. Prime Alinister, for your profuse hospitality to-night, and ' you all, gentlemen, for the very kind reception you have given me here. (Tumultuous cheers, during which the auditnce rose and hurrahed.) THE- HIGH COMMISSIONER. Sir George Reid, who was vigorously called for and enthusiastically received, proposed "The Chairman." He said that he had intended to propose a scheme of national defence, but he now found that Lord Kitchener had intercepted ~ him on every point. (Great laughter and cheers.) At last Australia had had an opportunity of putting in effect the highest possible scheme of military development that it was possible to obtain. (Cheers.) The great battles which Lord Kitchener won were won before Ihe battles began. Australia wanted to get into such a position that when the moment came she could face the situation with the utmost confidence. m^ mmm^ mmmmmmm^ mmm .