THE GOVERNOR ON DEFENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14691, 27 May 1911, Page 7

THE GOVERNOR ON DEFENCE

■ WELCOME BY GARRISON ** OFFICERS.

A COMRADE IN ARMS.

•»J t vRGE gathering of military officers asA M rl ftfc the Garrison clubrooms last C6in w to welcome His Excellency the Srnor. Colonel G. C. B. Wolfe, officer Amandins lb. ****** j" I "'* dis : f° , nresided, and among those present J— Colonels W. D Holgate, J. R. Zi C. T. Major, D.5.0., and W. H. TrL P.M.0., and Majors W. R. BloomSand Bart lot His Excellency, who I accompanied by Colonel 11. Boscawen, J D C., was received by Colonel Wolfe and i the senior officers. * Colonel Wolfe, m extending a warm lcomP to His Excellency, referred to tord Islington as a seasoned soldier, who had fought o for the Empire, and earned distinction in the field. Lord Islington said he had been closely connected for many years with the territorials in the Old Country. therefore, "ho hoped the officers would receive him not merely in the formal character as ■Governor of the Dominion, but as a com-rade-in-arms. Ho knew them to be zealous in the Imperial cause, they were all under allegiance to the. same King, ""members of tho same great Empire, and under the same beloved flag. The movement in regard to military reorganisation in New Zealand was, said Lord Islington, very close to the hearts of all officers in the Dominion. This singular movement opened a new chapter in IJew Zealand military history, and also 'formed a firm and solid foundation for a universal effort for the whole Empire. While they were at present engaged in the details of the new scheme, and were meeting with the difficulties which must be encountered in the early stages of a movement of that.' character, ho was sure they would not easily be discouraged. In the first place New Zealand was to be congratulated on its Commandant, (Cheers.) In General Godlev they had an officer with three great qualities—tact, ability, and esteem—necessary in the successful soldier. The officers at headquarters, and in the various districts, were also showing much ability in their work, and the scheme now in mid-stream gave every prospect of being a success. The Parliament of the country carried the scheme With the support of public opinion. Ihe national assent had been given to tho inauguration on scientific lines of a scheme of military organisation. They were carrying out Lord Kitchener's scheme, which provided a most admirable ladder of training from the primary school boy through the senior cadets to the territorials. Old roldiers said that the amount of training given to the territorials was quite inadequate, and that they did not compare with the Continental soldiers. Now if the territorials thoroughly applied themselves, then in time of national disaster they would be susceptible to very rapid advancement. ,He was a great believer in tho territorial scheme, which as laid down was not an aggressive military scheme, but the most peaceful of all arrangements that could be made under any system. Lord Islington concluded his remarks by saying he would give the officers all the support he could while Governor of the Dominion, and he hoped they would keep in close and constant touch with him, and come to him in full confidence, whether in the Garrison Officers' Club or in camp.. " A programme of vocal and instrumental items was given by Messrs. Aspinall, A. ■JicElwain, J. W. Ryan, A. J. Black, Cap-' tain T. H. Dawson, and Lieutenants P. H. Mohr, Duncan and Moody. His Excellency on retiring expressed himself as delighted with the evening's entertainment. °