H.—l9e

2

■ Indian Governments for the loan of additional instructors, but without success. To bring in greater numbers than can be dealt with efficiently involves a certainty of indifferent training. (6.) The accommodation available in camp must necessarily limit the numbers of men who can be called in for training at any one time. It must not be forgotten, that not only is shelter, whether tents or huts, required, but also sanitation, Water-supply, medical arrangements, stores, &c, must be thought of. Experience in handling large numbers is essential. The principle which has been, followed since the inauguration of Trentham Training-camp is that no increase is ever undertaken until the whole camp organization has been running smoothly at normal with the existing size of the camp. (c.) The provision of uniforms, blankets, and articles of kit was felt as a serious obstacle in the early months of the war. The calculation of drafts months ahead of the time they are required, and the consequent possibility of letting suitable contracts, has done much to overcome this difficulty. Saddlery, blankets, and other articles of clothing and equipment have from time to time provided temporary limitations. The provision of boots in sufficient numbers has always been a difficult problem. (d.) The Imperial Go\ernment, up to the present, has requested that all men of Mounted Rifles and Infantry Reinforcements should take rifles with them from New Zealand. As is well known, the supply of rifles in the Dominion is not inexhaustible, and consequently this has always proved a limiting factor to the number of men which can bo offered and trained by New Zealand. Attempts have been made to procure rifles from the Imperial Government, the Indian Government, the Canadian Government, and the Commonwealth Government, but always without success. 5. The institution of local training-camps for the Reinforcements of the Expeditionary Force has been advocated on many occasions. It is not, bowever, considered advisable or practical to accede to this request. While Trentham is able to cope efficiently with the numbers of men under training, there is no necessity to institute local camps, for which it would now be practically impossible to provide efficient staffs. Every Staff Corps officer left .in the country has a definite task to perform in Trentham Camp or in connection with the Territorial Forces, and sufficient numbers could not be spared for local training-camps. Local training-camps would not only increase difficulties of training, but would also involve extra expenditure. Every concentration camp would require equipment, clothing, and supplies stores and staffs, instead of only one set of stores and one staff, as in the case of Trentham Camp. Another great disadvantage with regard to local concentration camps is that men would not come under the influence of the excellent spirit which now pervades the Trentham Camp. This spirit took at least four months to develop, and that under the influence of the most strenuous endeavour. It is considered that it Would be veiy difficult to obtain this spirit in local camps throughout the Dominion. 6. The strengths of Reinforcement drafts are calculated at Headquarters on certain percentages which have been communicated to the New Zealand Government by the Imperial Government. 7. Drafts are sent off at regular intervals, as thereby a standard course of training is rendered possible. This is not only of importance as simplifying training in New Zealand, but it also enables the Imperial Government to make suitable arrangements for giving whatever further instruction may be required before the men are sent to the front. To send uneven drafts would be to render the question of further training extremely difficult. 11. Recruiting. 8. The method of obtaining recruits for the Reinforcements of the Expeditionary Force is a system of registration. 9. The intending recruit goes through the following procedure in order to go into Trentham Camp:— (a.) Full information regarding the system of registration and enlistment has been circulated throughout the Dominion by means of posters. Instructions have been issued to have these exhibited at all Defence Offices, railway-stations, and post-offices. Copies have also been issued to many patriotic societies, the National Reserve, and recruiting societies for distribution. They have also been reproduced in several newspapers. (6.) A leaflet containing the same information as that sot forth in the poster can be obtained on application at any post-office or Defence Office throughout the Dominion. (c.) The intending recruit need not absent himself from his work in order to register at a Defence Office. All that he need do is to obtain a card from the nearest post-office, fill in the necessary details, and send it to the nearest Defence Office. (d.) On receipt of the registration-card at the Area Group Office, the man's name, together with full particulars obtained from the registration-card, is entered into the Group Registration-book. Entries are made in order of receipt of cards.

Camp accommodation.

Uniforms, &o.

Anus.

Local trainingcamps.

Strength of Reinforcement drafts. Drafts sent at regular intervals.

System of recruiting. How tho intending recruit registers. Posters.

Information leaflets

Registration.

Registration-book.