LORD KITCHENER'S TOUR

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 25

LORD KITCHENER'S TOUR

VISIT TO VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, January 11. ■■’S'Fifteen thousand people awaited Lord Kitchener’s arrival, and he was accorded an enthusiastic reception. V >S ■- Mr Deakin, the other Federal Ministers, and Sir G. H. Reid welconfed Lord Kitchener on behalf of the Commonwealth. A guard of honour escorted him to the Federal Government House. The route was crowded, and there was much chewing. January 12. The Federal M inistry entertained Lord Kitchener at dinner in Parliament House. Lord Chelmsford (Acting GovernorGeneral) presided, and there was a distinguished gathering. Mr Deakin said he was convinced that before Lord Kitchener had left Australia he would have summed up the elements of their defence problem in such a fashion that they would at least feel that their foot had found a right and straight path. Under his guidance they hoped to essay that organisation of their land forces which would couple their development with these of their naval strength. Lord Kitchener reiterated that he had been much- struck with the very strong and widespread determination existing in Australia for an efficient citizen force. The want of population was a difficulty to be carefully considered ; but they possessed first-rate material whereon to work. In no other country in the world did the young men show such natural qualifications whereon to build a military career. A great deal of the training that in the ordinary course was necessary to obtain an efficient soldier was already part of their daily life. He advised the careful preservation of the excellent natural characteristics of young Australia, and would also urge the, importance of establishing a high-class primary military educational system for the training of officers. There was no reason why the national forces of Australia should not make their standard of efficiency on a par with, if not higher than, those of the military Powers of Europe and elsewhere. But, they could not expect immediate results. If they aimed at a higher ideal time was necessary for the new methods to take effect. During the transition period they would have to devise means gradually to secure an improved organisation, without interfering with its natural development. After uttering a warning against unnecessary expense. Lord Kitchener declared that If the work were thoroughly done he did not think a national army organised on sound lines need bring an undue strain on the financial resources of the co mi try. Sir G. H. Reid roused much merriment by announcing at the Federal dinner that he had intended to propose a. scheme of national defence himself, but that Lord Kitchener had intercepted him in every point of his report, January 13. Lord Kitchener'is inquiring into matters relating to the Military Board of Control. Be has inspected the Colonial Ammunition Factory. Lord Kitchener paid a. visit of inspecHi

afterwards visited the camps of the land forces, keenly watching the operations. January 15. Lord Kitchener spent yesterday inspecting the tactical Seymour camp. The rain made things very uncomfortable, and interfered with the movements of the troops. January 17. Lord Kitchener spent Saturday watching the further operations at" the Seymour camp. SYDNEY, January 13. Inquiry has elicited the fact that the failure of the searchlights to act when Lord Kitchener was' inspecting the harbour defences was due to the order miscarrying.