NO MORE SHIRKING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1112, 27 April 1911, Page 2

NO MORE SHIRKING.

OFFICERS' TESTS, EXAMINATION MUST BE FACED. In future, examination qualifications for military rank or promotion in tho New Zealand Delcnce Forces will bo insisted upon, hi the past, a certain laxity in regard to tho onlorceiuent o£ this rule has created considerable dissatisfaction among those officers who have passed their examinations, for their achievements, they subsequently found, gavo ttiem no advantage over certain otiier olncers who laileci to take the trouble to prepare tliciu&eives lor tne examination, According to tlie terms ol tho' loliowing order uy the Uenerai Stall' at headquarters there will be no shirking of tneso examinations in future. Tho older reads :— '-Alt examination for the promotion of officers oi tne Aew Zealand btulf Corps and Permanent Forces leertiucates "(J" and "D") will be held in November next (commencing 2<J), under instruc tiuns to bo issued later. "Officers who have been transferred from the New Zealand' Militia to the Now Zealand Stall Corps, and majors and captains of the Royal New Zealand Artillery, who have not already qualified tor the rank they now hold, must present themselves tor examination in November next with a view to qualifying for that rank. "A limited number of promotions to tho ranks of major and captain will bo made alter this examination has' been held. As only officers who have qualified for the next higher rank will bo eligible for promotion, those likely to be affected are advised to present themselves for the abovo examination. "The campaigns of military history selected are:— " 'First paper: The Russo-Japanese War ' (from August 25 to October 27, 1004, inclusive; Luoa Yang to Mukden)/ " 'Second paper: Special .'period from October 1 to 27, 100), inclusive. 1 "'Book recommended: Official History of the War.' Or "'First paper: The American War of Secession (from Juno 11, 1802 to May 5, 1803, inclusive).' • , '"Second paper: Special period from September 17, 1802, to Decemter 15, 18G2, " 'Books recommended: "Stonewall Jackson" (Colonel Henderson); "War of Secession" (Ropes).' _ "'Questions on organisation will bo based on War Establishment of tho Imperial Army.' " '"Books recommended: Notes on Organisation and Equipment'," by Banning or by Brunker.'" . . With regard to the examination test of qualification for commissions in tho Terntorial Force (Citizen Officers), there is also to be a stiffening up of the rules, as will be seen from tho terms of the loliowing order:— , . . , "The half-yearly examination for officers of'all ranks who have not already qualified for Hie rank they now hold will . bo held on May 15 next, under the existing regulations of 190 G. Fu uro halfvcarlv examinations for promotion, November onward, will bo held under In© new regulations. "It is to be clearly understood that in future no acting appointments will be m "No officer of the Territorial Force will bo promoted unless he has passed the proscribed examination for promotion.