MILITARY MATTERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10518, 28 July 1910, Page 6

MILITARY MATTERS.

(Special to the Press.) Wellington, July 27. To-day Mr Allen asked the Minister of Defence whether the Imperial Defence Committee, the Colonial Defence Committee, or any Imperial authority had recommended that 30,000 trained men would be required for the defence oi New Zealand; and if he specifically recommended a smaller number. Sir Joseph. Ward replied that the numbers quoted on page 5 of the memorandum on the defence of the Dominion cf New Zealand were approved by Lord Kitchener. In regard to the question of whether the Imperial Defence Committee, the Colonial Defence Committee, or any Imperial authority recommended that the defences of Lytteltoa and Dunedin Harbors should be abandoned on the score of .expense, or for any other reason, and if Lord Kitchener agreed with this recommendation, and, ir not, what did he suggest for the defence of those harbors, Sir J. G. Ward said the communications with the bodies named in the question were all cf such a highly confidential and secret nature that it was not considered advisable to give details. It might, however, be stated for general information that the adi'v-; in re harbor defences from the sources named in the question was, ar. d woidd continue to be, closlv followed. In reply to Mr T. E. Taylor, the Government stated that the Staff Corps suggested by Lord Kitchener had not been overlooked, nor would appointments to the same he made without proper .qualifications. One of the first duties of the Director of Military Training and Education after his arrival would be to draw up the conditions and qualifications necessary for officers who might eventually be appointed to the Staff Corps. It would be years _ before such a corps could be completed.