37

A.—2

3. The bulk of the additional instructors required under the new universal-training system have already been appointed, and the only further appointments will be those required to replace the usual wastage—probably not more than a total of twenty or thirty each year. 4. Practically the only positions in the Commonwealth Permanent Forces, other than those of non-commissioned instructors, to which discharged non-commissioned officers and men could be appointed, are those for gunners of the Royal Australian Artillery (Garrison) and for gunners and drivers in the Australian Field Artillery, the ages for enlistment being eighteen minimum to thirty maximum, and the number of vacancies approximately fifty to sixty annually. 5. No guarantee of employment in the Permanent Forces of .the Commonwealth can be given, nor is it feasible that the preliminary medical and other examinations for such appointments be carried out in England. 6. Consideration will, however, be given to the applications of any men who are within the agelimits and comply with the physical and medical requirements, and who may present themselves for enrolment at the district headquarters in each State. 7. Reservists are not eligible for appointment to the Military Forces of the Commonwealth. 8. The several State Governments were advised of the receipt of the Secretary of State's despatch, and asked whether, apart from the question of the possibility of providing the men in question with employment in the Defence Forces, it was their desire to do anything in the direction of obtaining any of them. It was thought that their services might possibly be of use in connection with some branch of the State public service where it would be an advantage to have men accustomed to discipline. 9. Replies have now been received, from which it would appear that the State authorities are not in a position to make any offer of employment. In the case of Western Australia, it is suggested by the Premier that if any of the men are prepared to settle on the land, the Army Council might communicate with the Agent-General for that State in London regarding them. I have, &c, Dudley, Governor-General.

South Africa.—The Governor-General to the Secretary of State. My Lord, — Governor-General's Office, Pretoria, 29th September, 1910. With reference to your Lordship's despatch of the 20th August, No. 164, I have the honour to enclose, for your information, a copy of a minute from Ministers on the subject of the emigration of ex-soldiers to the self-governing dominions. I have, &c, Gladstone, Governor-General.

Union of South Africa, Prime Minister's Office, Pretoria, 21st September, 1910. With reference to His Excellency the Governor-General's minute, No. 36/4/10, of the 10th September, forwarding copy of a despatch, No. 164 (Union of South Africa), from the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject of the emigration of ex-soldiers to the colonies, Ministers have the honour to state that under present conditions there are no Permanent Forces maintained by the Government of the Union in respect of which Ministers could give a guarantee of the nature suggested by the Army Council in the seventh paragraph of War Office letter of the 14th July. The point will, however, receive their careful attention in connectio.n with the establishment of a defence system for the Union. Louis Botha.

No. 46. New Zealand, No. 211. My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th June, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 23rd instant, and to inform you that it has been laid before His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who desires me to express his thanks for the congratulations conveyed in it from you, your Government, and the people of New Zealand on the occasion of his birthday. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c. No. 47. New Zealand, No. 212. My Lord,— Downing Street, 30th June, 1911. I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that the gold nugget presented by the people of New Zealand to Their Majesties the King and Queen as a token of their loyalty on the occasion of Their Majesties' Coronation was duly laid before Their Majesties by the Right Hon. Sir J. Ward, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, on the 21st instant.

No. 47. New Zealand, No. 212. My Lord, — Downing Street, 30th June, 1911. I have the honour to request you to inform your Ministers that the gold nugget presented by the people of New Zealand to Their Majesties the King and Queen as a token of their loyalty on the occasion of Their Majesties' Coronation was duly laid before Their Majesties by the Right Hon. Sir J. Ward, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, on the 21st instant.