CAMP CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 1, 26 September 1918, Page 3

CAMP CONTROL

.POWERS OF COMMANDANTS

NEW RULES LAID DOWN

Recommendations made by the Dcfenco Commission were considered by a conference of heads, of branches and camp commandants in July. The couferenco defined the duties of the officers concerned, and, as already indicated in tho Dominion, assigned increased responsibility to tho camp commandants and the'chief instructors. Tho a_ri'rangements have been embodied in some new orders. ' , The Chief of the General Staff is responsible to the General Officer Commanding ifor tho co-ordination ana inspection of/all work, training and .administrative, of Trentham and Feathorston Camps. Hβ is also responsible for the preparation and issue of all training programmes, concerning which ho will consult with chief instructors. Heads of branches at General Headquarters are responsible to the General Officer Commanding for the inspection and performance of tho purely technical side of the duties of the sections of their respective branches in camps. Tho Camp Commandant is responsible to the Chief of the General Staff for the performance of his duties. The Camn Commandant is resDonsible for the entire commarxl, control, and administration of .his camp under the laws, regulations, orders, and mRtructfons in force: for the efficiency, discipline, and pertfonnarce of his duties of every officer, nou-conimis'sioned officer, manj and civilian in his camp; nnd for proner enre being taken of all Government moueyr and property on charge to 'the camp. He is responsible that constant endeavours aro made to reduce waste of all kinds, on which he will keep close check and record. It. is. the duty, of the Camp Commandant to submit such suseeslions'on matters out of his own coutrol ai he may consider will tend to increased efficiency or economy in the workine of the New Zealand Training Camps. The Chief Instructor of each arm is responsible to the Canro Commandant for the. methods and efficiency of the training of reinforcements placed under him for instruction. Ho will ensure that the training is strictly in accordance with the, official manuals, and x on the .programme prescribed by . the Chief of-'the General' Staff.. He will use every endeavoui' to keep himself and his instructors up to date. He will inako suggestions for,- improvements in the training whenever possible. PIo will report to tho Camp Commandant if training is unduly interfered with by administrative work. Jt is the primary duty of the jnetructional staff to imulcate discipline and to cultivate the soldierly spirit. This portion of the soldier's traiuins is j of the highest importance. Instruction is not to be limited to parade houre. Instructors will obtain an individual knowledge of all ranks placed under them for instruction ;' they must be known to tho men as something more than martinets / of tho parade ground. Tho instructional staff will assist tho administrative staff iiy seeing that officers and n.c.o.'s both'linmv how- to, and do, look after their rifon whilst in camp \ . Tho lulminirtraMvp staff is responsible for assisting, tin-' instructional staff in teaching the soldier tho routine rli.ves of military life. They are responsible for ensuring that every oflicer, n.c.0., and man knows what ho' has to do in camp, how to do it, and that he actually does it. Tho administrative staff,' equally with the -instructional staff, are responsible for ii> Btructinp: tbe soldier in military discipline, and.the soldierly spirit. The contnct of tho administrative staff "Vvtt-li officers, n.c.o.'s, and men is not limited to parades and official interviews in offices only. Administration stuff offi- s : cors must go round for themselves and gain an individual, knowledge of all ranks under training. It is their duty to ascertain where difficulties, even though they ha- imaginary, exist in the camp, in order that they may take action themselves,. or place thu matter before the Camp Commandant for decision. ■