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1914. XE W ZEALAND.

MILITARY FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT BY THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF THE OVERSEA FORCES ON THE).

Presented f<i both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces to the Honourable the Minister of Defence, New Zealand. Sir, — Wellington, New Zealand, 4th June, 1914. I have the honour to submit herewith my report on the Military Forces of New Zealand ; and, although it is not customary in official correspondence to ask for indulgence, the present exceptional circumstances warrant me, I think, in doing so. The whole of the report has been, of necessity, written up and cast into its present form during the past six days. As you are aware, I personally had not a spare moment during my actual inspections, and I would give a great deal to be able to put in another week's work in restating my views in terms which might be considered more conventional. Unfortunately, once I start in the New Zealand Company's liner " Ruahine " there is no possibility of my posting a letter until I reach London. Such a delay would, I understand, be inconvenient, and therefore I submit my attempt with all the imperfections of haste only too legibly imprinted upon it. In the course of my tour I have inspected every unit of the Territorial Force and I have seen members of every company of Cadets in the Dominion. According to parade-states the Territorials inspected by me, together with the Permanent troops, numbered 18,807, and I have seen 17,868 Cadets on parade, a total of 36,675, or 70 per cent, of the Defence Forces. I have also visited the works and fortifications at the principal harbours, and at three of the four defended ports I have been present during practice with the heavy guns. I regret that time has not admitted of my advising you on the subjects of the coast defences and coast-defence schemes. This confidential report will be written, D.V., during the voyage, and will be posted you from London. To those people by whose hospitality I and my staff have benefited, and to many others who have helped to make my visit one of the most enjoyable episodes of my life, I owe my most grateful thanks. I carry away with me wonderful memories of this beautiful country and of the overflowing kindness of its inhabitants. My thanks are also due to the General Officer Commanding the Forces, to the Headquarters Staff, and to the District Commanders, who have done so much to make my path smooth during my progress through the Islands. Las.tly, I have to thank you, Sir, and the Government you represent for much personal kindness received and for the admirable arrangements under which my inspection has been carried out. That what I have been able to do in consequence during the past five weeks, and that the recommendations I have ventured to put forward in my report, may prove of some lasting value to the military forces of New Zealand is the earnest hope of Your obedient servant, lan Hamilton, General, Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces.

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