THE DEFENCE FORCE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 6 February 1913, Page 5

THE DEFENCE FORCE

THE OFFICERS' RIDE. -AND MR ALLEN'S OFFER. CfmiSTGHURCH, Last Night. At the conclusion of the inspection of the Senior Cadets last night, a .reporter had a brief interview with General God lev, Commandant of tho New Zealand Defence Forces. Tho j first subject mentioned- was the staff j ride, which was held in the SoutK Island last week. The General stated that this was in every way a siifcc-ss-. The officers had entered into the project whole-heartedly, and excellent j work had been done. An interesti ing scheme had been drawn up, and the task set the officers was thai j everyone must- ride. They had finished on Saturday, and lie was very pleased with it. . The rec n nt cablegram from London tr> the effect, that the Hon James Allen, Minister of IVfence.. bad expressed a, hope that New Zealand would place an expeditionary force of SODO at tho disposal of the Imperial authorities for .service in any part- of the globe. was mentioned, and the General was asked to "sake a statement iregnrding it. "I hope it is quite clear to everybody," the General stated, "that ihi- nmssnge only refers to volunteers--to those, who, in-the event of wnr. would volunteer for service outside New Zealand, in the same wav as ib<> contingents did in S'luth Africa. There im oue.stion.'' Gencai God ley added, "of anv member of the oitixen amiv being sent abroad in a military capacity. No one would leave Xnw Zealand except as volunteers. About 10.0(10 men vent to South Africa durintr the Brier* War, and Mr Allen had evidently Pelt perfectly safe in est:matin<r that force of SOOO would be available shenht similar circumstances arise."