27

A.—4

Naval intelligence —its collection and utilization for naval operations. Superintendence of Naval Intelligence Division. Discipline. Full pay and half pay ; allowances and compensations, including tablemoney ; prize questions ; pilotage and surveying pay, and all extra payments ; debts of officers and men; naval pensions ; widows' pensions ; character, conduct, and badge questions. Medals. Uniform regulations. Naval detention quarters, and naval prisons. Deserters. Collisions between ships of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy and private vessels, &c. Fleet communications, wireless telegraphy policy, cyphers and codes. Training in combatant and staff duties. The Chief of the Naval Staff, working under the British Admiralty, is responsible to the Minister for the issue of orders to the fleet affecting war operations and the movements of ships, which orders may be issued in his own name in his capacity of Chief of the Naval Staff. In the absence of the Chief of the Naval Staff the responsibility for operations falls automatically on the Chief Staff Officer. As the Minister is ultimately responsible to Parliament, it is necessary that he should be kept advised of important operational matters by the Chief of the Naval Staff, or any other officer acting for the latter in his absence. Board Business. — The following matters should be considered as Board Business :— Estimates. Alterations in the General Regulations, and all important orders of legislative character. All naval officers ; proposed recommendations for dismissals or discharges ; retirement when unfit for, or unworthy of, further employment; resignations ; restoration and refusal of restoration; questions of non-employment; alterations in dates of birth. Questions having an important bearing upon fleet numbers ; the numbers of recruits to be raised in a given time, or the general conditions in regard to pay or service of the personnel of the Navy. Important proposals for the provision of new material, and questions having an important bearing upon the progress of work on material for the naval service, including repair work. Questions having an important bearing upon the supply or storage of the necessary quantities of ordnance, coal, oil, and other essential stores. Chief Staff Officer.— The work to be delegated to the Chief Staff Officer by the Board should include— Manning* of the Fleet and training of the Fleet in accordance with principles approved by the Board; administrative arrangements connected with training and educational establishments. Defensively armed merchant ships ; training of personnel. Complements. Mobilization and other regulations for the personnel. Reserve forces. Wireless telegraphy. Hydrographic questions.

* "Manning " means recruiting the numbers authorized by Parliament.

5—A. 4.