THE DOMINION'S DEFENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9163, Issue 9163, 12 March 1910, Page 2

THE DOMINION'S DEFENCE.

LORD KITCHENER'S REPORT,

THE NEW ZEALAND PORTION,

Following will be found Lord Kitchen* er'e memo to Sir Joseph Ward on, the defence of the Dominion: —The FieldMarshal's report in the mam consists of an application to New Zealand of part I. of his 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 vou a special memorandum on the 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 countrj as it is in Australia. It appears to me that, for your land forces New Zealand j and Australia should adopt homogene- j ous military systems, in order to be able j to efficiently support one another in the event of national danger. The desir- j abilitv of such co-operation is evident j by reason of the geographical position o. the two countries. SPLENDID MATERIAL.

"Moreover, tne young 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 lite arc very 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 be 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 tno Australia West Point College, which I have recommended the. Commonwealth Government should institute, and which I believe they are about 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 nature 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 Nwth and twenty-five in the Island. The areas should, of course, provide the same I 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 6ix majors. The thirty permanent officers now employed with tne permanent forces district and headejuartors staffs will also be wanted. "I should therefor© recommend an eventual establishment for the New Zealand staff corps of a hundred officers, being the ninety-one 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, et "By ranks this establishment will work out at

Colonels ... J? Lieutenant-Colonels ° Majors .. Captains Zb Lieutenants Total 100 FIVE NEW COMMISSIONS ANNUALLY. " "The maintenance of this number will require an annual supply of about fave 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 defepce of this Domin-

ion. You will find, however, that part I. of the project which I gav© to the Commonwealth Government, and which I now cnclose and recommend to you, does not differ from the War Office memorandum in any matters of importance, but it will, I hope, afford you a practical scheme for giving effect to your defence measures. HIGH IDEAL. "At the risk of repetition 1 wish again to emphasise the importance of placing the ideal of your defence on as high a standard of efficiency as possible, in order that the men serving, as well a 6 the public, may havo a just pride in the

fighting value of the force, and so insist upon the observance of the important principle that defcnce should be outside party politics, and not used by individuals for political purposes. A thorough-ly-trained 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 the assistance which I have everywhere received in the inspection of your defences and troops. I shall always remember with much gratification my association with tho forces of this Dominion. I shall follow their progress with the keenest interest, and: I shall be only too glad at any time to givo such further advice or assistance as may be in my power.

"I forward herewith a separate confidential communication on the subiect of the fixed defences of New ZealantT. "Yours very truly. "KITCHENER." REPORT TO AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. NUMBERS, DIVISIONS, AND COST. CAMP AND HOME TRAINING.

Lord Kitchener's report to the Commonwealth Government was made a few weeks ago. The chief points covered by tho Field-Marshal 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 ABC must be carofully studied and practised, so as to understand how to learn properly as well as how to teach.

In his various inspections Lord Kitchener noticed defccts, and recommendations aro 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 lafd 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 danger. The New Defence Act is given credit for meeting the demand if the forces aro efficiently trained, organised and equipped. But it is stated that 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 bo 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 secuvo the larger cities and defended ports from attack, the other half operating as a mobile striking force. Six clear d.sys are fixed for camp i training in peacc, in addition to home | training.

Recruits should be drawn impartially from all parte 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 tho area officer will make it a national necessity that ho should bo selected irrespective of facial considerations. v> „ , Nothing but should effect his selection and promotion. He should be judged by results alone. The 215 are to be subdivided into 10 area's, and each placed under tho 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 entirely from tho college, is to provide the permanent officers required, who will also go abroad to study. . Tho full staff will consist of 190 lieutenants, 90 captains, 30 majors, 13 lieuten-ant-colonels, and seven colonels. "If men of the right stamp are to be attracted to the corps, 11 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 tho advice that political interference in tho managament of the college should be strictly avoided. Candidates for training at the college are to be sofected from the most capable of the senior cadets.

A cadet having joined, his parents are I to pay £80 per annum for board and lodging, instruction, etc. Upon ihe completion of his course tho cadet is to be given his commission, and sent either to India or England. It is recommended thnt the citizen officer should he selected from the most promising material procurable. The sole qualities in selection In id down are youth, capacity for leadership, military knowledge, and devotion to duty. Lord Kitchener aerees with the principle laid down in the Defence Act that in the citizen forces all promotions should" be from the ranks. Continuance of tho organisation of tho military districts, with their commandants and staffs, is also recommend ed. Lord Kitchener accepts the military board system as he finds it, but says that the work needs careful allotment. He lays it down that no subject other than a matter of military policy should bo put before the hoard. Suggestions are made as to the duties of the Inspector-General, which appointment is to be • continued. i, By the addition of £100.000 for mis- | collaneou* services. Lord Kitchener estimates the- cost of the whole schcme at £1,884,000 annually.