LORD KITCHENER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2742, 22 February 1910, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER.

CABLE NEWS.

FEDERAL PREMIER ENDORSES “K. OF K.’S” REPORT.

United Press Association —Copyright SYDNEY, Feb. 21.

Speaking at Twymoutli Mr Deakin said he thought that Lord 'Kitchener’s report should be received with unquali - fled support and endorsement. It was qualified to bring out the' natural ability of the Australian. It was not impossible that the future soldier in Australia as in Napoleon’s time would carry a marshal’s baton in his knapsack. The scheme would demand £IOO,000 more than the Government’s own national proposals intended, but it was worth it for their organisation to be complete.

Australian officers and men will be sent to England as crows to bring out the new destroyers.

RECEPTION AT ASHBURTON. npDH Press Association, i ASHBURTON, Feb. 21. A crowd of over 1500 people from the borough and country gathered at the railway station this evening to see Lord Kitchener as he passed through. An address of welcome was presented by the Mayor, the Field Marshal responding. Leading citizens were introduced to him, and the proceedings during his stay in the town were very enthusiastic.

SPEECH BY Sill JOSEPH WARD. The Premier, in the course of a brief speech, said that this was the first time since Lord Kitchener had arrived that the speaker had referred to his presence in tlie country and the objects of his visit, and he did go now in order to express the feelings and gratification of. he might say, all New Zealand at the Government having the benefit of the knowledge, experience, judgment, and skill of Lord Kitchener to advise them in the all important questions of internal defence. It was an epoch in the Dominion’s history. Sir Joseph Ward concluded by referring to the genera] enthusiasm from the Bluff onwards. which showed the patriotism of the people for the British flag. The Premier was heartily received.

A HEARTY WELCOME AT CHRIST. CHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 21. Lord Kitchener arrived in Christchurch to-night from the South. He was accorded a civic reception at the railway station, and an address of welcome was presented by the Mayor. An enormous crowd assembled at the railwav station and along the line of route from the station to the Christchurch 'Club, where Lord Kitchener is staying, and their welcome was of the most hearty character.

THE FIELD MARSHAL’S SPEECH

After the address of welcome had been read by the Mayor, Lord Kitchener. whoso voice carried over a remarkably large area, made the following reply"':— “i thank all the citizens of Chi istchurch for the very kind and cordial welcome they have afforded me. You, Air. Mayor, have, alluded to the possibility of my advice being of some use to the Government of this country. I assure you that if such is the case, and my experience in military matters can be of any assistance to them, it will be willingly placed at their disposal. (Loud applause.) It will a source of the utmost gratification to me in after j’ears if by this'means I can be associated with a measure that will enable, the young manhood that I have seen in all parts of New Zealand to render themselves thoroughly efficient for the. defence of their country and able to take their share in the maintenance of tlie honor and solidarity of the grand old empire to which we all belong.” (Loud applause). Three ringing cheers were given lor Lord Kitchener at the close of his roiv, and the little function of welcome came to an end. / Lord Kitchener, accompanied by the Prime Minister, the Mayor, and Colonel Kirkpatrick (his aide-de-camp) then drove away, their carriage being followed b*y others containing the members of the Defence Council, Colonel Hawkins (the officer commanding tlie district), and other military officers and Councillors. To-morrow morning Lord Kitchener will inspect the Lyttelton forts. In the afternoon he will review the cadets and the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

A COINCIDENCE. It is a, curious coincidence that the French mail steamer wrecked off the coast of Minorca with such terrible loss of life was named alter the brave General Chanzy, who commanded the Second Army of the Loire during the Franco-Prussian War, and to whose staff Lord Kitchener," a youth f resh from the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, was attached. It was during this first experience of the actualities of war that young Kitchener is said to have made a perilous ascent with two French officers in a war balloon, and to have shared actively in several engagements, only to be stricken down with pneumonia and invalided home.