49

A.—4a

2. School to be supervised by Chief of Commonwealth Imperial General Staff — Commandant, Ist; Grade Imperial General Staff) Q officers obtained from home 2 Instructors, 2nd Grade Imperial General btatf) r in the first case, assisted by temporary qualified officers. 3. A. —A senior class for more advanced students. B.—A junior class for officers on first appointment. C. Courses to be held at, and away from, the school at various military centres. 1. From 6 months to 1 year. 5. For A Course .. .. 10 officers (two to be selected for Staff College). For B Course .. .. 10 For C Course .. .. 10 at the School. Total .. .. 30 officers. It would therefore appear, if a suitable building could be hired as a temporary measure, that the ultimate erection and location of the school might be left for future consideration. Comments by the Chief op the General Staff on Major-General Hoad's Proposals. 1. Principles in full accord with War Office Memorandum. 2. Suggests postponing for the present the appointment of General Staff Officers in Districts. 3. Draws attention to General and Administrative staffs working in unison. 4. Major-General Hoad's proposals as to the constitution and duties of Commonwealth Section, Imperial General Staff, in accord with War Office Memorandum. 5. Questions whether officers of Citizen Forces would be sufficiently qualified to perform duties of General Staff Officers in Districts. Points out necessity of highly trained officers. 6. Interchange of officers and necessity of an Australian Officer being at Army Headquarters approved. 7. Similarity of grading throughout the Empire would facilitate matters, but universal rate of pay would not work in with local conditions. Draws attention to guiding principle " Officers sent to serve far from their homes must be adequately paid." 8. Notes that Major-General Hoad's proposals recognise that adequate military education essential, and offers to give any assistance or advice possible in the formation of a School of Military Instruction in Australia.

Instructional Staff.

Nature of instruotion

Duration of courses. Numbers to be accommodated in first instance.

C—NEW ZEALAND. Accepts principles enunciated in Imperial General Staff paper. No proposals as yet received.

D.—SOUTH AFRICA. Has not yet accepted principles enunciated in Imperial General Staff paper, owing to Transvaal Cape Colony, Natal, and Orange River Colony all being in agreement that, owing to the possible unification of South Africa, the present would be an inopportune time for the several Colonies to commit themselves to any engagement.