LORD KITCHENER'S RETURN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14392, 10 June 1910, Page 6

LORD KITCHENER'S RETURN.

IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND. [lEOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] London, April 29. After an absence of nearly eight years Viscount Kitchener arrived home on Wednesday and received a hearty welcome both at Southampton and in London. The war correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, Mr. Bennett Burleigh, who had a conversation with Lord Kitchener, says: " West Point Military Academy had deeply interested him, as a model, practical, thorough military school. He had found. nothing bo good anywhere: else, and had recommended both Australia and New Zealand to copy it for their own use in the training of cadet?. These two colonies, like every other virile people, were keenly intent upon the problem of the best means : of self-defence. They recognised it as a j duty they owed to themselves and their free institutions, so that they could stand face to face against any interference from outside sources.' The material, personnel, and so forth, are first tain, and no doubt they will be well able ere long to take right good care of themselves. But ;it ■ will take ; time and energy, and they have enough of the latter. ," These colonies are very pros-i perous, and are in a most' promising' condition. The scheme "L have drafted for them involves -no greater outlay than, if quite so much as, that propounded under their Defence Acts. For £1/700,000 a year Australia will in due course/ have'a V complete system that makes her) secure against attack. , She will no longer need to look to the Mother Country for instant aid in the event /of danger. The amount ; of: money is but trivial to such a ! rich country. '-''}" The 'boy scout* movement he had seen and met with in Australia, and New Zealand. • It was remarked that in 10 or? 15 years to come the boy scouts of to-day would be the men of that time, and their influence would be felt in many ways upon English lifo and opinion. * "Lord Kitchener said England is not decadent, whatever anyone may . eay or think. Her sons are as good as ever, and as full of heart, and she is quite able, under God, to determine ,her own j destinies. ? She needs help from none, children or strangers, and can quite take care of herself.; : She is yet full of the youth- of days and I assure you in no sense decadent."