AUSTRALIAN REPORT APPLIES TO NEW ZEALAND.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 57, 12 March 1910, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN REPORT APPLIES TO NEW ZEALAND.

UNIFORMITY ADVISABLE.

The Field-Marshal's report in the main consists of an application to New Zealand of part I- of liis Australian defence report, but it is accompanied, by the following covering letter, dated March 2nd, addressed to Sir Joseph Ward:—

■"Dear Sir Joseph Ward. "I do not think it is necessary to ;write you a special memorandum on ifche defence of New Zealand, as from ,what I have seen during my inspection the necessity for improved training is just as equally marked in this country as it is in Australia. It aj>r pears to me that for your land forces •New Zealand and Australia should adopt homogeneous military systems, in order to be able to efficiently support one another in the event of national danger. The desirability of euch co-operation is evident by reaBon of the geppraphical position of the two countries. SPLENDID MATERIAL. "Moreover, the young men of New Zealand and Australia though showing some markedly different characteristics, are in both countries splendid material for creating a first-rate fighting machine, for the Conditions of their country life are /t«ry similar, producing successful pioneers accustomed: to make the land supply the ;wants of man. '•■ "I think, therefore, that uniformity in training and establishment of units, as well as the closest ties of comradeship in the armed land forces of New Zealand and Australia, should Jbe fostered in every way. SEND CADETS TO AUSTRALIA. "These considerations point to New Zealand sending those cadets destined to be instructors'of her citizens to the Australian West Point College ;Which I have recommended the Commonwealth Government should institute, and which I believe they are iabout to establish. It is quite evident that the wants of New Zealand in this respect are not sufficient to create a college where training of the mature required .can be properly -imparted. FIFTY-FIVE AREAS.

"This will be seen from the fact that, working on the lines suggested for Australia, a suitable number of areas for New Zealand would be about fifty-five, i.e., approximately thirty in the North and twenty-five in the South Island. The areas should, of course, provide the same quotas as are recommended for Australia, and it follows that the permanent instructional officers required for area work alone would be fifty-five < subalterns and captains and six majors. The thirty permanent officers now employed with the permanent forces district and headquarters staffs will also be wanted.

"I should therefore recoownend an eventual establishment for the New Zealand staff corps of fc hundred officers, being the ninety-on* accounted for above, plus 10 per cent, to allow for the depletion of officers to train with units in India and the United Kingdom, sickness, etc. "By ranks this establishment will, work out at Colonels ... 3 Lieutenant-Colonels 6 Majors 13 Captains 26 Lieutenants 52 Total , 100 1 FIVE NEW COMMISSIONS ANNUALLY.

"The maintenance of this number will require an annual supply of^about five officers, so that to allow for the selection of the best men I would recommend that New Zealand should send ten cadets annually to the Australian College, from whom five would ultimately be chosen for commissions in the staff corps. ' "You have so recently had the views of the War Office on the land forces of New Zealand that I do not deem it necessary to point out the considerations which govern the defence of this Dominion. You will find, Ihbwever, that part I. of the project which I gave to the Commonwealth Government, and which I now enclose and recommend to you, does not differ from the War Office memorandum in any matters of importance, but it yrill, I hope, afford you a practical ischeme for giving effect to your defence measures. HIGH IDEAL. "At the risk of repetition I wish again to emphasise the importance of placing the ideal of your defence on as high a standard of efficiency as pos-. sible, in order that the men serving, as well as the public, may have a just pride in the fighting value of the force, and so insist upon the observance of the important principle that defence should be outside party politics, and not- used by individuals for political purposes. A thoroughlytrained and efficiently-equipped force should be the supreme object of your ■ efforts, and no personal considerations should for a moment be allowed to • stand in the way.

"It only remains for me to thank you most sincerely for the facilities afforded me on my visit, and for tho assistance which I have everywhere received in the inspection of your defences and troops. I shall always remember with much gratification my association with the forces of this Dominion. I shall follow their progress with the keenest interest, and I shall be only too glad at any time to give such further advice or assistance as may be in my power.

"I forward herewith a separate confidential communication on the subijec# of the fixed defences of New Zealand.

"Yours very truly,

"KITCHENER."

REPORT TO AUSTRALIAN GOV-

ERNMENT,

A TYPICAL LETTER.

" For some years I suffered, periodi cally, from severe pains in the back, characteristic of disorder of the kidneys. Mv urine was of :i dark, rod colour, and contained a large quantity .of sediment. 1 also suffered' a good deal from impaired digestion and loss of sleep. I tiied various medicines, which failed to do me any good. Then I commenced to take Warner's Safe Cure. After taking th 2 contents .of one bottle, my water became its natural colour, and, after taking the medicine a little longer, all irritation ot the kidneys passed away. My r.ystem was thoroughly renovated. I can now eat and sleep well, and enjoy my food." The above letter, written by Mr. Oliver Williams, of Victoria-street, Scbastapol, Ballsrafc, Vie, is a specimen of the many letters received by H. IT. Warner and Co., Ltd., Melbourne, who will send a pamphlet containing valuable information and a large number of similar letters, post free, on application. Warner's Safe.Cure is the natuial cure tor rheumatism, g6ut, neuralgia, lumbago, backache, sciatica, blood disorders, anaemia, indigestion, biliousness, jaimdice, sick headache, general debility, gravel, stone, and bladder troubles. Its action is direct upon both kidneys and liver. It stimulates those vital organs, and restores them to health and activity, thus enabling them to eliminate from the system the uric and biliary poisons which cause the disorders named. Warner's Safe Cure can be supplied l.y any chemist or storekeeper, both in tinoriginal form and the cheaper " Concentrated," non-alcholic form, each containins the same number of doses.

The chief points covered by the FieldMarshal then may be recapitulated as follows:—

The Field-Marshal says that excellent material and zeal are not the only requisite qualities in a fight against trained, regulars. Success in any technical career can only be achieved after a thorough elementary grounding. The A B C must be carefully studied and practised, so as to understand how to learn properly as well as how to teach.

In his various inspections Lord Kitchener noticed defects, and recommendations are made "to overcome them. He states that the training in the camps. indicated a tendency to go too fast, while neglecting essential preliminaries. Emphasis is laid on the inadequacy of the present forces in numbers, organisation, training and munitions of war.

The Field-Marshal lays his finger on the want of population as a serious existing practical clanger. The New Defence Act is given credit for meeting the demand if the forces are efficiently trained, organised and equipped. But it is stated that a highly efficient national force can only be produced by the work of years. Such work must be steady and continuous. Divergence from a settled policy would lead to chaos. If plans and essential preparations were deferred until an emergency arose it would be then too late to act. Through necessary concentration in certain waters some time might elapse in actual war before Britain got supreme control of all. Therefore, it was the duty of all the self-governing dominions to provide adequate military forces. Lord Kitchener estimates the land forces required at 80,000 fighting troops, efficiently trained, armed and equipped. Half would secure the larger cities and defended ports from attack, the other half operating as a mobile striking force. Six clear days are fixed for camp training in peace, in addition to home training. Recruits should be drawn impartially from all parts of the country and. from the whole of the community. The populated portions of Australia are to be divided into 215 areas, from which the national forces will be drawn in quotas.

The responsibilities of the area officer will make it a national necessity of social considerations. "

Nothing but efficiency should effect his selection and promotion. He should be judged by results alone.

The 215 are to be subdivided into 10 areas, and each placed under the supervision of permanent instruction officers.

Lord Kitchener bases his ideas for a military college on the Military College of West Point, America.

A staff corps, to be drawn entirely from the college, is to provide the permanent officers required, who will also go abroad to study,.

The full staff will consist of 190 lieutenants, 90 captains, 50 majors, 13 lieutenan,t-colonels, and seven colonels.

"If men of the right stamp are to be attracted to the corps," Lord Kitchener says, "the pay must be good." The cost of the college in full working order is estimated at £15,050 per annum.

Stress is laid on the advice tha* political interference in the management of the college should be strictly avoided.

Candidates for training at the college are to be selected from the most capable of the senior cadets.

A cadet having joined, his parents are to pay £80 per annum for board and lodging, instruction, etc. Upon the completion of his course the cadet is to be given his commission, and sent either to India or England.

It is recommended that the citizen officer should be selected from the most promising material procurable. The sole qualities in selection laid down are youth, capacity for leadership, military knowledge, and devotion to duty.

Lord Kitchener agrees with the principle laid down in the Defence

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