DOMINION ARMY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15500, 6 January 1914, Page 9

DOMINION ARMY.

COMMANDANT'S RETURN.

DEFENCE QUESTIONS

A PROFITABLE TOUR.

As a result of the visit to the United States and England of -General A. j J. Godley, C.8.. Commandant of the New I Zealand Forces, considerable benefit should , accrue to the citizen army of the vo- | minion. j General Godley, who returned from Honie yesterday, proceeded to the Old [Country via the United States. In San i Francisco, by the courtesy of the United ( States military authorities, he was able to inspect the defensive works in the harbour. The method of inculcating the principles of military science to military students in the States has often been the I subject of praise from military authorities, I and, in (Jeneral Godley's opinion, the j United States system of military educaj tion is an excellent one. j When in Canada, the general availed ! himself of the opportunity of visiting the I factory in Quebec where the Ross rilies | are made. In addition, he conferred with , the Canadian Minister for Defence, and ! prominent Canadian military officers, on | matters of common defence of the Empire. I Sir lan Hamilton's Visit. j General Godley informed a Herald representative that he was in Canada at tne I same time as General Sir lan Hamilton, j Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces, ! and with him he travelled to England. Provisional arrangements were made for Sir lan Hamilton'* inspection of New Zealand's military forces in April.

Following upon a visit to Scotland, General Godley was present at the September manoeuvres of that portion of the army stationed in Ireland, and afterwards he proceeded to England to observe the English manoeuvres. One of General Godley's prime objects in going Home was to attend the big autumn manoeuvres of the British Army,

and sis he was attached to the staff of Sir John French, Commander-in-Chieff, his visit in this respect was entirely successful. The conditions of modern warfare make such rapid advances nowadays that it is distinctly advantageous for an officer having the control of a scheme such as that in vogue in New Zealand to have the opportunity of seeing what modifications or : mprovements might be rendered necessrcy. Oneral Godley was able to note all '.he latest developments that have been made in matters military.

The King's Interest. It was while he was at the manoeuvres that General Godley was summoned by His Majesty the King to relate the progress of New Zealand's compulsory training system. " His Majesty," said the general, "evinced much interest in the New Zealand citizen army, and asked specially about the Third (Auckland) Mounted Rifles and the First (Canterbury) Infantry Regiment, of which regiments he is colonel-in-chief."' Pleasure was expressed by His Majesty that the regiments of the New Zealand Army had been allied with the Imperial regiments that had seen service in the Maori wars. He was also gratified that the colours and emblen? of distinction of the Dominion's forces were being placed upon a right basis, and that the people of New Zealand wens as much concerned about these decorations as those in the British Army were atout their own. The King's favourite charger, one which he has ridden for several years, is a fine-looking black horsa, and His Majesty told General Godley that the animal had come from New Zealand. A Biplane Flight. A visit to Aldershot Aviation School was paid by General Godley, wbo made an ascent in one of the latest B.E. type biplanes. He also saw Lord Roberts, who made close inquiry in regard to the Dominion's universal training scheme. During October, the general discussed various matters connected with the New Zealand forces with the general staff at the War Office and the High Commissioner's office. The Secretaries of State for the Colonies and for War were interviewed. General Godley discussed the subject of possible co-operation between the forces of the Commonwealth and New Zealand.

The general returned via Egypt, and at Cairo he met Lord Kitchener, who was pleased to hear of the progress that the New Zealand scheme had made. The Australian Minister for Defence, the Chief of the General Staff, and other officers were also interviewed, and matters of interest to the defence forces of both countries were deliberated upon.