LORD KITCHENER. HIS REPORT ON COMMONWEALTH

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2739, 18 February 1910, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER.

HIS REPORT ON COMMONWEALTH

CABLE NEWS.

DEFENCES.

VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS

United Press Association— Copyright SYDNEY, Feb. 17.

Speaking at Inverell, Mr Alfred Deakin dedlared that Lord scheme studied economy without sacrificing efficiency, putting aside all deconitivo effect of militarism. It was framed for the purposes of those desiring to defend their hearthstones and those dear to them. Referring to the necessity for imore people (to which Lord Kitchener had referred), while favoring immigration proposals, he emphasised that what the country wanted was more of its own people, more Australians. Surely it would he possible for Australia to devise a policy by which, instead of a, child being regarded as an encumbrance, it would he welcomed as a valuable asset. Touching the subject of tlie Northern Territory, he said that unless it was speedily peopled they would have to see to its defence by tlie establishment of military barracks. MELBOURNE, Feb. 17.

The main portion of Lord Kitchener’s report will he available for publication in a few days. It will he a confidential report as well as a. document embodying advice on the question of organisation. It is understood that the carrying out of the recommendations will involve a great increase in the military estimates and some sweeping changes in personnel. "While the scheme fits into the new Defence Act as far as the main principles are concerned, some important amendments will have to be made to give full effect to it. He proposes to abolish military districts, and to re-group tlie militia and compulsory-trained levies after a plan having special regard to strategical eonsidertaions. He supports in an expanded form the Government’s schemes for the establishment of small arms and cordite factories and military colleges, and is said to favor the acquisition of tlie Colonial Ammunition Company’s works, or otherwise to have complete Governmental management of cartridge-making. He proposes to increase th*> ammunition reserves in all parts of the Commonwealth, and the creation of centres of a given number of self-dependent, fully-equipped army corps, capable of movement at any moment to any danger (point. 'He recommends tlie fortification of several independent coastal points, and close association of the railway systems with the defence organisation. He advocates the early construction of the transcontinental railway.

THE FIELD MARSHAL IN NEW

ZEALAND

RECEPTION AT INVERCARGILL

I Per Press Association. I INVERCARGILL, Feb. 17

H.M.S. Encounter, with Lord Kitchener aboard, did not arrive at the Bluff till this afternoon. The landing was a quiet, unpretentious affair, and nothing of importance happened. Sir Joseph Ward, and Colonels Robin, Collins, and Tuson hoarded the ship, and shook hands witih Lord Kitchener. The Mayor of Campbelltown read a short address of welcome, and Lord Kitchener very briefly acknowledged it a*d expressed pleasure at being in New Zealand.

At Invercargill another address was read, and another brief reply made. Lord Kitchener msfiected the veterans and volunteers drawn up to receive •him. and shook hands with a number of Maoris- who danced a haka. Then he wont on to Dunedin.

ARRIVAL AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN Fob. 17. Lord Kitchener arrived here this evening, accompanied by his aide-de-camp and chief of staff, the members of the Defence Council, and the Prime Minister, who met him at Bluff. He was accorded a hearty welcome by a very largo crowd which thronged the streets as he drove to . the Fernhill Club. Throughout the train journey Lord Kitchener was accorded an enthusiastic welcome at every station, and was presented with several addresses. The Dunedin station was closed to the general public for the. reception of the distinguished visitor, and on his stepping out from the train he was welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Walker) in a few formal words, to 'which Lord Kitchener replied very briefly. He mentioned the fact that his. father had owned property in the neighborhood and that his brother had also been for some years in the district. His sister (Mrs. Parker, of Kurow, North. Otago) mot him at the station. After the'reception, Lord Kitchener entered an open carriage, and with a military escort of a. detachment of the Otago Hussars, Dunedin Engineers, and Garrison Band, drove slowly to his headquarters.

THE DUNEDIN PROGRAMME

Great interest is being taken in the military manoeuvres. At present there are camped at the Heads the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Navals, and such of the Permanent Artillery ns aro located hove. Upon these at any time between midnight of Thursday and midnight of Friday Lord Kitchener may work/ his will,iii the way of surprise orders. At any time further between midnight of Friday and midnight of Saturday 2000 volunteers from all over Otago, who will be camped at Burnsido, will be subjected to test orders. To-morrow ..afternoon there will be a big review of the whole of the cadets of the district.

AN AMAZING BLUNDER AT

DUNEDIN

To the- great astonishment of tlio crowd*;; of people who thronged the streets to welcome Lord Kitchener to Dunedin, the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), who had arrived with the great soldier from the south, was not given a seat in any of the carriages which passed in the procession through the town. It was subsequently learned that apparently no provision hacl been made for Sir Joseph taking part in the procession, and after tlio carnages had left the railway station lie. proceeded to the Grand Hotel by motor car. There is little doubt that such a slight on the

CABLE NEWS.

Prime Minister was quite unintentional, and was due to bungling on the part of someone responsible for the arrangements made at the railway station.

NAPIER CADETS. Feb. 17. No school cadets from Napier nor Hastings will take part in the Kitchener camp at Wellington.

THE CANTEEN QUESTION. WELLINGTON, Feb. 17. The “Post” states apropos of the New Zealand Alliance resolution on the subject of canteens at the Kitchener camps, that it has already been decided that no canteens be established in camps during Lord Kitchener’s visit.