DOMINION ARMY. REORGANISATION SCHEME.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 22, 27 January 1911, Page 4

DOMINION ARMY. REORGANISATION SCHEME.

ALL GOING WELL. ffiT TELEGRAPH—PBESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 26th Jan. j Major-General Godley, Commandant j of the New Zealand Forces, who passed through Christchurch this morning on his way to Dunedin, was seen by a pressman on matters connected with the reorganisation of the Dominion's military system. Major-General Godley said that, up to the present, everything was going well in connection with the reorganisation scheme. In the Auckland and Wellington districts matters were in train for the inauguration of the new state of affairs, and he was visiting Otago and Canterbury with the same object in view. Regarding the training camp for the South Island, the site of which is in the vicinity of Christchurch, he said that it would not be required just at present, but the land would be taken. It would not be possible to have camps | or manoeuvres until matters generally were further advanced. .Referring to the camp at Tauherenikau, where the adjutants and area non-commissioned officers are being trained, Major-General Godley said that, on the recent visit to the camp of His Excellency the Governor and the Prime j Minister, both were very pleased with ' the work going on. It was hoped that the adjutants and area non-commissioned officers would be able to get into their districts early in March, when the process of^ enrolment and registration for the universal training nnder the new scheme will commence. Before the camp breaks up Major-General Godley and the officers commanding districts will assemble at it to compare notes, with a _ view _to ensuring uniformity in connection 'with defence matters eenerally. WORK IN THE SOUTH. The work which Major-General Godley haa in hand at present in Otago and Canterbury is the grouping of the existing battalions of infantry and mounted rifles into brigades,. In Canterbury there will be an infantry brigade and a mounted brigade. The first-named will consist of four battalions, and the last-named of three regiments. This is the same as the British establishment, and has been adopted in furtherance of the idea of having uniformity throughout the Imperial Army. The "reporter mentioned that an impression appeared to be prevalent in local defence circles that the mounted men were to be known as "mounted infantry" under the new scheme. MajorGeneral Godley said there was no intention to alter either the name or the character of this branch. The mounted rifles, he explained, would be the cavalry of the country, and would be expected to perform all the duties of cavalry except thoso of Bhock tactics and tho use of the "anne blanche." "in the work of reorganisation," Major-General Godley remarked, "1 am particularly anxious not to interfere more than can be helped with existing units and with local traditions, but a certain amount will be absolutely necessary. I hope that, in respect to what is absolutely necessary, local members of the forces will assist me by sinking their own feelings in such matters." * THE GENERAL AT DUNEDIN. j BOY SCOUTS. | DUNEDIN, 26th January. : Major-General Uodley, commandant of defence forces, accompanied by Colonel Burnett-Stuart and Captain Spenoer Smith, arrived by to-day's first express from th© north. The commandant will leave again for Christchurch by the first express -,on Saturday, there to inspect troops and defence arrangements before returning to Wellington on Tuesday.' In the course of an interview, the commandant was asked by a reporter if there was any place in the new defence scheme for defence cadets. "That question," was the reply, "is one- which I have yet to fully discus* with Lieutenant-Colonel Smyth." And how about Scouts and Cadets? asked the reporter. Will they clash in a.ny way? "No," replied the commandant. "Scoute arid senior cadets will "not claeh. 1 am a great upholder of the Boy Scouts, and we are prepared to take Boy Scout units into the senior cadets, the only cpndition being that they must be cadets first and Boy Scouts nfteawaids. They must go through the regular curriculum provided for cadets, but, apart from that, they can wear their |bwn uniforms, preserve their own individuality, and engage in any scout work they.like." GOMPUiiKUKi: TRAINING. An important matter touching the T-er-ritorials and compulsory proposals wa* then referred to. In an interview given by tho Major-General at Auckland, he .was reported to have said: — "We hope to impress so many of our young men with th« advisability of join ing the Territorial forces that there will only be very small residue left to be dealt with under the general training section. Every one who joins the Territorials now will undergo his training under the most favourable conditions possible." This point was referred to .the commandant for elucidation. He replied that what his statement conveyed was that the Territorial strength had' now be«n raised so much that, when at full strength, there would only be a comparatively small surplus left 'over to be trained in the general training section. This training fiction would be enforced, and he had xneifily wished to point out to those who were liable to compulsory training that they would be muoh better off in the Territorials, with uniform, competent oißcere, and the beet conditions, than in the motley general training section, with the probability of no uniform and no esprit de corps. And what course will be followed when the registration which ia to be put in force in March is completed about June? ■was asked. How will the selections of men be made? "We do not expect," replied the commandant, "to have at first more than will be required. All will bo taken up to 21." Finally, attention was directed to a newspaper paragraph predicting a general post amongst officers commanding districts and others. The paragraph went so far aa to give in detad the- diatricts of the new appointmenta, and when shown to Major-General Godley, it roused his mirth. It was one of th* most amusing things he had seen for »ome time, he eaid, and he assured the tepc-rt-or that there were no euch change* contemplated at the pr«ent tim«.