5

H.—l9

Signalling. My recommendations that signalling equipment be provided have not yet been approved. A few corps have purchased privately a moderate amount of signalling equipment, but the resources in this very important matter are totally inadequate. At such manoeuvres as have taken place the want of trained signallers has been invariably felt. The transmission of orders, &c, in the absence of signallers, in most cases is a matter of hours instead of minutes, and in some cases is altogether impossible. The results that would ensue on service are not difficult to foresee. Army Service Corps. It was hoped that, at any rate, the nucleus of a company at each district headquarters, trained to the duties of supply and transport in the field, might have been formed ; but under present conditions this has been been found to be impracticable. A force cannot live without food, nor can it be fed without systematic arrangements for so doing being completed in time of peace. We cannot, too, expect the enemy to attack any particular positions that might be laid down in a scheme of defence, and mobility must be provided for, which would increase the difficulties of supply. Drill-halls and Rifle Ranges. There has been no material change in the situation as regards drill-halls and rifle ranges during the past twelve months. The ground for Penrose Rifle Range at Auckland has been acquired, and the range is now in process of construction. The ground for a new rifle range at Wanganui has also been taken ; the ground on which the old range was situated has been sold. The Sumner Range at Christchurch is at present closed owing to a question of safety ; it is anticipated, however, the matter will soon be settled. Improvement is being effected in the range at Pelichet Bay, Dunedin. As regards drill-halls, amounts have been placed on this year's estimates for the erection of drill-halls at Christchurch, Oamaru, and Nelson. Minor extensions and improvements in the drillhalls existing at several of the volunteering centres have been carried out. In order to obtain the necessary drill-hall and mobilisation-store accommodation at Dunedin, application was made by the trustees of the present buildings to sell, these buildings being unsuitable. It was found, however, on reference to the trust deed, a special Act had to be passed before this could be done, which will, I hope, be presented to Parliament this year, and, if passed, new and suitable buildings will be erected ; they are much required. Ammunition. The position of the colony as regards ammunition has most materially improved since last year. The establishment of a satisfactory reserve of small-arm and of ordnance ammunition has now been practically effected. The quality of the small-arm ammunition supplied by the Colonial Ammunition Company continues on the whole to be satisfactory ; its price, however, remains unreduced. Ever since my arrival in New Zealand I have, as is clearly indicated in my reports, endeavoured to obtain that reorganization of the Defence Force which would render it efficient. There is no organized staff in the colony, and those departments which are absolutely necessary for the training of a force in peace, and its guidance and maintenance in war, do not exist. Whilst staff and organization is on all hands admitted necessary for the establishment of any sound business, it appears to be in New Zealand considered superfluous in that department on which the responsibility for the proper training of the Defence Forces should fall in time of peace, and on which in time of war the safety of the country must in a large measure depend. In all countries where national military requirements have been fully appreciated and carried out, the immense importance of the logical and efficient organization of the staff has been fully recognised. As regards the various departments necessary, it is obvious that, unless such departments as those of the Supply and Transport, Ordnance, Medical, &c, are established and trained in peace-time, no force can take the field. If a Defence Force in New Zealand is to be maintained, it should be efficient ; and this could be effected at a less cost than that with which the present one is supported. As regards the Department of the Under-Secretary for Defence, I have recommended that this should be placed under the Commandant. As regards the charge of stores and equipment, these in time of war would of necessity come under the control of the Commandant, and should be so in time of peace. The present constitution as regards financial matters, too, does not conduce to true economy in peace, and would directly promote waste in war. The theory that all military officers are, by the fact of wearing uniforms, shorn of all business instincts has inevitably tended to produce the laxity which it is supposed to prevent. There can be no doubt that in proportion as officers are accustomed to official responsibility the economy which they alone can secure will be effected. Looking beyond the deficiencies in staff and organization which have already been referred to, centralisation is another of the serious disabilities attached to the Defence Forces of the colony. The only results of an inordinately centralised system has always been, and must remain, the. destruction of initiative. It is also very detrimental to discipline, for unless officers in authority are allowed to assume their proper positions the respect due to these positions cannot be looked for by those serving under them. If a force is to be trained to exercise that initiative and independence of judgment which are essential in the field, its peace administration must be effectively decentralised; the object should be to encourage the assumption of responsibility as far as possible. I referred in my last year's report to the system of election of officers by corps, which still prevails. I trust the Bill, which was formulated last session, dealing with this matter will during 2—H. 19.