LORD KITCHENER'S VISIT

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9789, 4 March 1910, Page 1

LORD KITCHENER'S VISIT

A STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER. [From Our Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, March 3. Sir tloseph Ward, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, who has accompanied Lord Kitchener throughout his tour, giving some impressions of the event, paid a high tribute to the manner in which the transport of the troops and cadets from the outdistriets to the four centres had been accomplished by the Railway Department, and he pointed out how the main trunk railways were proving their usefulness in this respect. The fact that in round numbers 13,000 cadets and some 7000 adult Volunteers had been assembled at the four centres without a hitch, marked a distinct advance so far as the transport facilities of the dominion were concerned. " One point we should remember in connection with the visit of Field-Marshal Lord Kitchener," said Sir Joseph, " is that he did not come to either New Zealand or Australia to inspect, in the ordinary sense of the word, the Volunteers or the cadets, aud for that reason he has not publicly expressed any opinion as to the efficiency of the men nor the correctness or otherwise of any manoeuvres that have been carried out during his visit. His mission to New Zealand was to suggest what was the best, system to adopt for the defence of the dominion, and in this category I include the- permanent defence of the harbours that require it. It is, therefore, to his report and recommendations that we must look in order to lay down a proper and effective scheme. I feel personally that the result of his visit will materially add to tho value of the defence system of the dominion. I cannot discuss the recommendations made in the report which was handed to me last night from Lord Kitchener, except to say that they are on lines that are well within the possibilities of the dominion to carry out. After they have been considered by the Government they will be published, so as to give members of Parliament and the public generally a full opportunity of becoming acquainted with them before the next session of Parliament." Asked as to the effect of tho report on the new Defence Act, Sir Joseph said he had no doubt that legislation would be desirable to include the scheme proposed by Lord Kitchener in his report.

DEFENCE OF AUCKLAND HARBOUR. [Pee Press Association.] AUCKLAND, March 3. Lord Kitchener during his visit to Auckland paid special attention to the defences of Waiteinata Harbour, in view of the fact that in the immediate future the harbour is to be the ba6e for the British Navy in the Southern Pacific. As the result of his observations, it is understood that in his report to the Defence Minister he has made recommendations which, if, carried out in their entirety, will place the Auckland fortifications upon the same scale as those of Sydney. It is well known that the fortifications of the port of Auckland are at present quite inadequate. The whole of the armament, with the exception of the two new six-inch mark VII. guns now being mounted, consists of guns of such an obsolete description that they could not penetrate the armour of a wooden armoured cruiser at half the range they are said to possess. DuriDg his inspection of the forts Lord Kitchener did not even glance at these guns. ' He concentrated his attention during the visit upon the strategical position of the fortress, and immediately seized upon the importance of Burton's Point, declaring that that is the place which must be fortified. The Field-Marshal's first impression as regards the importance of this position 6oems to have become a conviction, as it is stated that he has made a strong recommendation in his report for the fortification of this point. While Burton's Point appealed to him as of extreme importance for the protection of the entrance to the harbour, it is stated that the fortification of one particular spot now fortified did not at all- meet with his approval, and that this is made the subject of candid criticism in the document he handed in. As far as the armament of the different forts is concerned, it is reported that Lord Kitchener has strongly urged that the forts here should be equipped with 9.2 in and B.6in mark VII. guns of the latest pattern. If tliis is so, and his recommendations are carried out, it means that Auckland to all intents and purposes will be safe from any raid likely to be made upon it. The 9.2 in gun is, next to the 12in weapon, the most powerful piece of ordnance in use in the British Navy, and it is considered by many to be more serviceable for fortification purposes than the 12in, inas*much as it does not wear out so quickly. "It will," to uso Lord Kitchener's own expression, " stop any ship." Additional searchlights, it is understood, have also been recommended.