LORD KITCHENER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14141, 26 February 1910, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER.

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS, * WHAT NEW ZEALAND Wa'nTS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Feb. 25. Lord Kitchener was entertained at dinner to-night by the Government, at the Grand Hotel. In his speech Lord Kitchener remarked:—"By the Bill which has recently been passed compulsory training has been introduced, but it must be remembered that though in this way the foundation has been laid, it requires to be supplemented by a thoroughly sound organisation and military system in order to produce the best results, and to obtain efficiency m the most economical and satisfactory manner. My recent memorandum to the Government of Australia on the defence of the Commonwealth has now been published, and although there are naturally considerable differences between the conditions of the islands forming the Dominion of New Zealand and the continent of Australia, the mam pnnc.ples of that momornnl dum will m my opinion apply to the problem before us of maintaining efficient land defences concerning which you have asked my advice. "The first necessity in all military organisations is a thorough grounding tor the officers and men in the funda° mental work of their profession. The compulsory training laid down in the Hill will not bring this about unless a willing zealous spirit exists among the men themselves, who should in the pursuance of their duty to become efficient defenders of their country prepare themselves for the compulsory work in camp by constant and cheet--rul training in their homes. This necessitates the country placing competent instructors in close proximity to where the men live, so that every opportunity should be fully utilised to impart at home thorough instruction in company and battalion training . ' I would impress upon you the "first importance of providing efficiently trained and disciplined fighting men tor whom the departmental services of an army exist. These services which include supply, transport, medical arrangements, munitions of war etc are of undoubtedly great importance and must eventually be organised and provided in proportion to the requirements of the combatant forces maintained but vastly important as they become when you have your trained fighting man, you must remember that they are subsidiary." "You will find that a sound military organisation cannot he quickly created out of what now exists, and consequently there will be a period of change from the old system which has been found wanting to whatever new system may be adopted. It is difficult, and in my opinion not desirable, !•> lay down any precise rules for this pwlod of transition, for to do so might, and probably would, prove a source of embarrassment to the men who have actually to carry out the work with such means as may be at their hand.

"For thifs reason it seems to me that during this period special attention should ba paid to those essentials which are necessary ,to produce in course of time an efficient well-equip-ped fighting force. When that is done then minor matters may he seen in their true nerspctive and can he adapted to the prnieral organisation in a satisfactory mannej*.

RAIN AT WELLINGTON. CAMP UNDER WATER. Soakinc; rain felt at nicht and still continues, and as a result the programme for Lnrd Kitchener to-day had to be greatly varied. The inspection of the forth, arranged to take nlnce at 8.30 this morning, was not held, and the men at the forts have returned to town. - A meeting between the Field Marshal, Sir Joseph Ward, and the members of the T)efence Council was held at 10 o'clock.. It was decided that Lord Kitchener should fro out to Hutt Park and inspect the 4000 cadets in camp there at 3.15 p.m. The abont the camo i<! under water. Many tents are uninhabitable, and the boys nnd officers are reoing about; in bare feet in many instances.