AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14299, 19 February 1910, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE.

" ■ -''■■.:''■'■-' : ; r-'-s '.V' : ■■-• " : '■■ v'•'••. r-a- --.i->'■ •-• -.~■ ••:J-' 1 ;,?*.- - - 4 .' : -V.-:*!*-;' KITCHENER'S SCHEME. .■■■■■ ... ' '.-■/: .■."■■ ■■■■■■. ■■.. ■ ' .-' ■"■...■■!■.';.",,.■.■:.■■ ■-. AN EFFICIENT ARMY. ' MILITARY COLLEGES ADVOCATED By Telegraph.—Press Association.— (Received February 18, 6.30 p.m.) :y' Sydney, February.lß. V A summary. of ; Lord'; Kitchener's - report, on Australian defence has been published. It pays a tribute to-.the excellent material ! for defence; : and the keenness shown by the forces while in. camp. ;' ..v.I- •■■::■:■■': .'■ Continuing, the report states" that thepresent forces are inadequate- as ■:" regards numbers, training, organisation, and munitions, . while the want. of population is characterised as a danger. The new Defence Act will give sufficient numbers to defend the country effectively, if ; the men are efficiently trained, organised," and equipped. ~ ' The annual cost of the scheme' formulated by Lord Kitchener, when the Force is in full working order, will be practically the same as the total contemplated under the Defence Act, namely £1,742,000.; The necessary land forces are estimated at 80,000, organised into. 84 battalions" of infantry, 28 regiments of light horse, 48 four-gun field ■ batteries, .; seven '- four-gun..; heavy and'howitzer batteries, seven communication companies, and .14-field; companies of 'engineers. ' /',;",',' According to the sumrrmry of his'' report, Lord Kitchener favours military colleges with staff corps. The report states that the present railway construction, while developing -the country, has resulted in the lines being more favourable to an enemy than to the defence of Australia. .Lord Kitchener further advocates keeping military , affairs free from political influence. ;/. '.••'-'