THE TRAINING OF TROOPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13398, 29 January 1907, Page 5

THE TRAINING OF TROOPS.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS.

HOW TO MAKE A FORCE EFFECTIVE.

[BY TKT.KORAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington, Monday. Speaking at a dinner to the Wellington Rifle Battalion, Colonel Robin, chief of the general staff, and first military member of the Council for Defence, in referring to the necessity for effectire defence, said that in the training of troops there should be a definite goal in view, and to secure the best results it was necessary *o move persistently to one objective. The object. of all drill and training should be to so perfect officers that they would be able to place their men in the best position possible, where they could be used to the best advantage, to place them .so that their tiro would be most, effective. To do that to the best advantage, some imaginative power was necessary. Officers should remember the importance of attack. Troops that could attack could always defend, for defence could never be successful without following up its advantages by attack. No troops that had depended solely on defence had done any lasting good for themselves. Colonel Robin also spoke briefly on the duties of the Council for Defen< To himself, as tht» chief of the general staff, belonged the responsibility of training the troops of the colony to the general idea of what he had been endeavouring to convey. He did not want to shirk that responsibility for a moment. He wanted to move the whole system right on from where they now were, and to start a thorough system of instruction for the officers, recognising that under competent officers, competent men were assured, nud the prospect of the proper placing of men for the most effective fire made good. Given these conditions, he said, we would be able to meet the enemy, if ever he came, though the colonel hoped he would not, to the shores uf New Zealand.