THE DEFENCE DEPARTMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8082, 19 December 1906, Page 2

THE DEFENCE DEPARTMENT.

TIIE BOARD OF CONTROL. WELLINGTON, Yesterday. Sir Joseph Ward announced Ig,st night at the banquet to the Premier of lasmania that the Council of Defence under the Act of last session would be composed of the Minister of Defence, first military member. Colonel Robin; second, not yet named; Finance Member, Colonel R. J. Collins; Secretary, Colonel Webb; Inspector-General, Colonel I lie Minister will preside and be responsible to Parliament ; but he must subordinate his own ideas to the judgment of his coadjutors in technical matters. Generally speaking Colonel Robin would look after military operations, mobilisation, and war regulations. Colonel Davies would do the outside work of inspection, and be responsible for the efficiency of units. Colonel Collins will have control of finance. The second military member will be adjutant and quartermaster-general. .Under him will be the director of artillery and engineers. This place will be tilled by an Imperial officer, and correspondence is now going on to enable the Government to select a suitable man. THE STAFF CHANGES, WELLINGTON, Last night, Sir ,1. G. Ward states thq,t to (ill the vacancies caused by Colonels Robin, Davis and Webb taking up their new positions to-day the Wellington district would be offered to Colonel Bauehop, now in Christchurch, and the latter district to Colonel Hawkins ov Colonel Abbot,, Both these officers are at present in private life. Major Joyce, the Permanent Department would have command of Nelson district and Colonel Wolfe would be oftered Auckland. The position ot staff officer to the Adjutant General would be offered to Captain Seddon. but he did not know it would be accepted. The office of chief clerk to the Department . of Defence had been offered to "Mr Cirjiam, who already held a responsible position there, and the director ol stores would be Mr O Sullivan, who had carried out the duties with complete satisfaction. Iliese changes would cost comparatively little compared with what the Government had been spending, iilid he was persuaded in the end they would be more economical.