INSPECTION BY GENERAL GODLEY.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13381, 2 April 1912, Page 6

INSPECTION BY GENERAL GODLEY.

AN ADDRESS BY THE MAYOR

At 10.30 yesterday morning Major-G-encral Godlev, Commandant of. the New Zealand Forces, accompanied by ■Jfis Worship tit? Mayor (Mr. T. A. 11. Field) and Captains Chesney (staff ofliI car) and, Noel Adams, left town by i motor car. to visit the, camp, arriving 1 about 12.20 p.m. ; The camp, when the General arrived. ■ was a isoeiio of activity. Owing to all ! tho uniforms not having come, instead !'of the usual pomp and glitter of a military camp it presented a very workman.ike- appearance, small bodies of men in | their shirt sleeves being drilled all over |the field,'while shouts of command were -heard on all sides. Both men and officers seemed to bo ke-en and taking a great interest in their work.

Alter the General had walked round the camp the men were dismissed for dinner, which was served to the tent orderlies tinder tho General's inspection. Tho tents were next visited, and the- General inquired at each if the, men had any complaint, and were comfortable- and satisfied with their, rations. There wore only one or two trifling complaints, which were immediately'ordered to bo inquired into. Tho large ".recreation tout whichis provided with boxing gloves and other ■amusements for tho men, was also visited. In tho afternoon the men were again instructed in small squads and at 3 p.m. wore paraded and inspected by tho General. Then they were formed up in close order and General Godlev addressed them.

Godley said ho was very pleased to see the pro.trret; 3 that had boon mado at tho camp in a single day and it rcflectod great credit on Major Ptilos and his officers. Tie considered the men a fine stamp, and thought that with training they would enmpam favourably with any other ltegimont in tho Dominion. Ho was pleased to see the f.pirit prevailing at the- cainn. and told them the work they wvro doing would not only benefit tlipm^lv^;. but was for their country, and that tho man.who would not defend his country: was unworthy of it. H<> hoped that not only would tlioy benefit by t!r ir military training but that they would enjoy themselves in the camp and form many nciv frio-ndships. Ar it we,< " (ii-i-'^n pjmy lih was pleased to say that tho -Mayor had shown his interest in the movement by accompanying him to the camp and would address thorn. '

Tho Mayor said he had the l^mnr and pleasure of addressing thorn by Iho invitation . and courtesy of 'General Thofo camps wove of racial intorost1 as they were the, practical 'inception in this district of tho new J)r>I't'iicci Act. That Act, he thought, was

a wi»o and statesmanlike measure. They knew that many criticisms and objections had been levelled against it and that there were some who had suffered sooner than submit to its provisions. While they could honour and respect any man who had tho courage to suffer on account of his opinions, yet it scorned to him that the, opposition tp the Act was based on a misconception. Its aim was a citizen army and its motto defence, not aggression. Yet some seemed to confound it with tho system of militarism which prevailed in Continental countries. Although ho did. not profess to know' much about camps ho though that camp a credit to the officers and the men. He believed that if ever that unfortunate time should come when New Zea'.and should be attacked by a foreign army it would be found that the Territorials would respond to tho spirit' of Nelson's immortal signal at Trafalgar and would do their duty, and that the people of New Zealand would have reason to be proud of their Twelfth Regiment and of their citizen army.

The General was then introduced to the. officers of the Regiment, after which tho men were dismissed.

The General, after visiting the Quar-ter-master's store, which he considered in excellent order, left. for. Nelson at 3.4-5 arriving in town .at 5.35 p.m.