CAMP CONTROL

Levin Daily Chronicle, 5 October 1918, Page 1

CAMP CONTROL

: 4 — POWERS OF COMMANDANTS. NEW BULBS LAID DOWN. . Recommendations made by the Defence Commission were considered by a-confercnce of heads of branches and camp commandants in. July! The conference deiined the duties of the officers concerned, aud as already indicated in the Dominion, assigned " increased responsibility to the camp commandants and the chief instructors. The arrange-, ments have been embodied: in aorjgjtaew. orders. The Camp Commandant is responsible,, for the entire command, .control, and I administration of : hss "can^' undef laws, regulations,, orders, and, instrue- ■ tions in force; for the efficiency, discip--line, and performance of his duties Of every oificer, non-commissioned officer, man, and civilian in his camp;" and for proper care bding taken of all Govern- : ment moneys and property on charge to the camp. Ho is responsible that constant endeavours are 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 suggestions on matters out of his own control as he may consider will tend to increased efficiency or economy in the working of the New Zealand Training 'Camp.s. The Chief Instructor of each arm is responsible to the Camp Commandant for the methods and efficiency of the training of reinforcements placed under him for instruction. He will ensure that the training is strictly in accordance with the official manuals, and onV the programme prescribed by the Chief of the General Stair. He will use every, endeavour to keep himself and his instructors up to date. He will make suggestions for improvements in the training whenever possible. He will report to the Camp Commandant if training is unduly interfered with by administrative work. It is the primary duty of the instructional staff to inculcate discipline and to cultivate the soldierly spirit. This portion of the soldier's training is of the highest importance. Instruction is not to be limited to parade hours. Instructors will obtain an individual knowledge of all ranks placed, under them for instruction; they must be known to the men as ..something more than martinets of the parade ground. The instructional staff will '• assist the administrative staff in see- ! ing that officers and n.c.o.'s both know how to, and do, look after their men whilst in camp. The administrative staff is responsible for assisting the instructional staff in teaching the soldier the routine duties of military life. They are'responsible for ensuring that' every officer, n.c.0., and man knows what he has to do in camp, how to do it, and that he . actually, does, it., The administra-1 tive staff, equally with the instrue- ■ tional staff, are responsible for instructing the soldier in military discipline and the soldierly spirit. The contact of the administrative staff with offi-_; ccrs, n.c.o. 's, and men is not limited to i parades and official interviews in offices ' only. Administration staff officers must 1 go round for themselves and gain an ! individual knowledge of all ranks un- - der training. It is their duty to ascertain where difficulties, even though they bo imaginary, exist in the camp, in order that they may take action themselves, or place the matter before the Camp Commandant for decision,