H.—l9.

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work. The increase in the standard, of discipline and efficiency in the Territorial Force which has been apparent during the past three years is largely due to the annual postings of trained and disciplined Cadets. The difficulty of training Cadets in country areas will be apparent to all. A new syllabus of Cadet training came into force with the new training-year, which aims at developing citizenship and at improving the physical, mental, and moral qualities of the Cadets under instruction. In those cases where progressive training can be carried out under this syllabus it is confidently expected that good results will be obtained. This new syllabus of Cadet instruction has been compiled as the result of reports from many hundreds of officers and others drawn into close touch with Cadet work throughout the Dominion. It is recognized that the primary requirement for good citizenship is a healthy physique, and the latter can only be attained or retained by close attention to hygienic principles, particularly during those important and impressionable years of a youth's life between' fourteen and eighteen. Consequently this matter receives the closest attention in the new syllabus, while subjects dealing with the formation and strengthening of character are also dealt with. Tests will be carried out under the new syllabus every six months for eyesight, teeth, and hearing, which will disclose any serious faults in time for these to be corrected. The new syllabus is the result of considerable labour by experts in their subjects, who have behind them the experience and advice of those throughout the Dominion best calculated to form a judgment, while the statistics obtained throughout the war from the Expeditionary Force camps offer sufficient proof of the necessity of concentrating on the physical well-being of the young citizens of to-day who will form the future generations of to-morrow. Territorial Camps. Owing to the requirements of demobilization and to further meet conditions of commercial and pastoral employers the Territorial camps for 1918-19 were suspended. It is regretted that this was considered necessary, for these camps have proved of the greatest value throughout the war, and have permitted Territorial units to maintain a satisfactory standard of discipline and efficiency, while affording an opportunity to units in country areas for the completion of their musketry courses. Staff and District Exercises. District exercises for the instruction of senior Staff, Territorial Force, and Cadet officers were held in the Auckland and Canterbury Districts by the Director of Military Training. These courses were well attended and were economically conducted. In addition to the courses held by the Director of Training, each District General Staff Officer held courses for the instruction of officers and non-commissioned officers, which were well attended, and at which most valuable instruction was given. Throughout the war these Staff and District exercises have provided instruction in the latest teachings of modern war, and have enabled the senior officers in New Zealand to keep up to date in these matters, while affording those officers proceeding to join the Expeditionary Force with valuable instruction before leaving New Zealand. In all, over five hundred senior officers attended the courses held by the Director of Military Training between 1916 and 1918, while many hundreds of others attended those held by the General Staff Officers in districts. In the Wellington District alone no less than 4,308 officers and non-commissioned officers attended courses and classes of instruction during the period of the war. Mounted Rifles. The majority of the rank and file of Mounted Rifle units are recruits of this or last year's postings. Being anxious to reduce expenditure in every possible way, it was decided in 1917 that the provision of horses for Mounted Rifle training could be suspended. This was rendered possible by the majority of the rank and file consisting of recruits requiring elementary training in dismounted duties. Royal New Zealand Artillery. Owing to the large number of all ranks seconded for service with the Expeditionary Force, those remaining with the regiment were only just sufficient to keep the armament, instruments, and machinery in an efficient state, and to supervise and instruct the Home Service details which were attached for Coast Defence duties. All ranks of the R.N.Z.A. have been called upon to perform considerable extra duty, and duty of higher ranks than their own has been done cheerfully and satisfactorily. A high standard of discipline has been maintained in the R.N.Z.A. during the war. Very considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining Home Service men of a suitable type to replace those of the R.N.Z.A. serving with the Expeditionary Force. With the signing of the Armistice the Home Service details were demobilized, except those required to keep the R.N.Z.A. up to its minimum establishment. Garrison Artillery and Electric-light Section. Most of the Garrison Artillery companies have held camps during the year, and carried out instructional practice, all ranks showing great keenness. Considering the very small amount of training men had received —being largely composed of recruits on going into camp—the results are satisfactory, and reflect great credit upon all ranks, including the limited number of R.N.Z.A. instructors that have been available.