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(6.) The Territorial and Cadet Forces must look to the secondary schools for a large percentage of their officers injthe future, and a systematized standard of efficiency is universally obtained by such a method of instruction. These schools offer the best medium for the inst.uction of Cadets, and it is of the utmost importance that a systematic and universal system of training be adopted. By means of these barracks the attention of the Cadet is directed to the importance of serving his country as an efficient Territorial officer or non-commissioned officer. The reports of the headmasters concerned testified to the excellent effect these courses have had on Cadets and the immense value the educational authorities place on the object aimed at. It is unquestionable that the influence of these barracks will be far-reaching in the future. Unfortunately, in all Cadet work the results tire not immediate, and the consequent value is largely lost sight of except to those familiar with the necessity for early instruction, and who realize the immense effect for good that will result from this instruction. ■The Director of Military Training, who holds these barracks of military instruction, was one of the original founders of the Officers' Training Corps in England, and for five years specialized in the, training of schoolboys and university youths for commissioned rank. The greatest possible use is therefore being made of his unique experience in this important direction. In connection with these barracks, at a recent conference of secondary sohools the following resolutions were passed with regard to the " invaluable work done in the secondary schools by Lieut.*Colonel Sleeman " : — (1.) That the Minister of Defence be thanked for allowing Lieut.-Colonel Sleeman to hold barracks in the various secondary sohools in New Zealand. (2.) That the conference expresses its warm approval of the benefits conferred by such barracks, and the hope that this branch of Cadet work may be further developed in the future. 14. Royal Military College of Australia. There are at present thirty-six New Zealand Staff Cadets at the Royal Military College of Australia. Eight joined this year. One cadet was discharged in 1917. Those Staff Cadets who joined in 1915 will complete the course in December of this year. The Commandant of the College speaks very highly of the Cadets from New Zealand, and the senior boy in the college is a Ncw-Zealander. 1.5. Examination of Officers for Promotion. (a.) Officers of the Royal New Zealand Artillery and New Zealand Staff Corps. No examinations for officers of the above corps are being held during the war. (b.) Territorial Officers. In August, 191.7, thirty-four officers presented themselves for examination for promotion, of whom nineteen passed. Of the fifteen who did not qualify, ten failed in one subject, two in two two subjects, two in three subjects, and one in four subjects. In February, 1918, thirty-six officers sat, of whom thirteen passed, fourteen failed in one subject, five failed in two subjects, one in three subjects, and three in four subjects. From the Ist May, 1917, to the Ist May, 1918, officers as follows have qualified for promotion by examination : Four for Lieut.-Colonel, sixteen for Major, twenty-three for Captain, and seventyeight for Lieutenant. (c.) Examination for First Appointment to Commissions. In 1917-18 fifty-nine candidates qualified for commissions under the conditions reiating to the above examination. i 6. Cadet Forces. In order to assist civil labour the training of tho Cadet Forces in the country areas has been suspended for the duration of the war, with the exception of a quarterly muster parade. The training of Cadets in town areas has' been continued, except in those cases where undue hardship or essential industry necessitates the exemption of Cadets from training. The; importance of the Cadet Force to the future efficiency and discipline of the Territorial Force cannot be exaggerated. The increased standard of discipline and efficiency in the Territorial Force, so apparent in this year's annual camps, is largely due to the steady influx of trained Cadets who have completed a progressive course of training in the Cadet Force, and which supply will continue without interruption under the present system of training. 17. Value of the Territorial and Cadet Force Training. During the past three years of war the training of the Territorial and Cadet Forces has been continued, notwithstanding many severe handicaps and increased difficulties of varied kinds. Not the least of these has been a lack of understanding oj the vast value of this training on the part of some in the Dominion who, when not engaged in pouring cold water on the work and its need, have endeavoured to suppress this training altogether. All military experts brought in contact with the training of the Dominion's Territorial and Cadet Forces, and who alone are in a position to judge of its value and necessity, arc unanimous regarding