H.—l9c

2

As pointed out in your memorandum issued with the report, the first proposal " would not do away with the duties of the Adjutant-General's Branch," but I agree with my colleagues in believing that it would result in that work being much more economically, and no less efficiently, performed. The question of pay and allowances, with all its complications, was gone into in great detail, and I am quite satisfied that a considerable amount of unrest and dissatisfaction will be removed if the recommendations of the Commission are carried out. The schedules published in the report, in this connection are illuminative. The question of the period of training in New Zealand appears to be a difficult one, and was, of course, viewed not so much from the military standpoint as from that of economy in expenditure. The opinion, expressed on page 37, in favour of a reduction to three months, was forced upon us after the most, careful consideration of evidence received from men of various ranks who have had experience of the service abroad as well as in the Dominion, and appeared to view the question from both standpoints. I have no doubt that the report must have largely removed rather widespread misapprehension from the public mind as regards agreements made with the shipping companies for the charter, provisioning, and reconditioning or purchase of the vessels used as transports, and also as to the value of the expenditure upon hospital ships. In conclusion. 1 am pleased to express my cordial agreement, with the paragraph .makingreference to your own position and work as Minister of Defence, and the commendation of the work, of certain officers of the Department, who are named, as well as to gratuitous and valuable services rendered by members of Boards of Advice. T am, Ac, Phteii Babe.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9lB.