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Musketry. The musketry of the Territorial and Cadet Forces has been considerably interfered with by the abnormal conditions existing through the Great War. Chief among these has been lack of rifles and instructional equipment. During the past training-year musketry was seriously interfered with by the influenza epidemic. In addition, many units rely upon carrying out their musketry when at annual camps. In order to assist employers it was decided to suspend camps during 1919, with the result that musketry suffered. These factors have resulted in the musketry of the Territorial Force not reaching a satisfactory standard, but in the Cadet Force a marked improvement has been made, which to a large degree resulted from the energy and enthusiasm of certain Group Commanders and Territorial officers. Chief among the difficulties presented by the musketry training of the Cadet and Territorial Forces (60,000 strong) was the. small percentage of rifles to establishments which remained for these forces when the claims of the Expeditionary Force and the training-camps were satisfied. Prior to the Armistice the rifles available for the Territorial Force were in the proportion of 31 per cent, to the strength. Of these rifles 50 per cent, were unsuitable and otherwise unfit for firing owing to fair wear and age. This left the Territorial Force with but 16 per cent, of rifles with which musketry practice could be conducted, while the Cadet Force was practically without rifles throughout the war. Since the Armistice many thousands of rifles have been despatched to the Territorial and Cadet Forces from the Expeditionary Force camps, and many of the difficulties of carrying out efficient musketry instruction will now disappear. That these Forces were able to carry out this instruction during the war reflects the utmost credit upon those responsible, who, faced with enormous difficulties, did their utmost to make the best use of the limited supply of rifles and material available. Rifle Clubs. The Rifle Clubs have assisted throughout the war in recruiting and other matters, and have been the means of training many who, while ineligible for service at the front, desired to serve their country in case of emergency. Unfortunately the outstanding claims of the Expeditionary Force during the war considerably limited range accommodation and have severely handicapped Rifle, Clubs. It speaks highly for the spirit animating Rifle Club members that they still retain their keenness, and, as the Dominion Rifle, Meeting at Trentham in March, 1919, showed, they have succeeded in maintaining and developing many fine shots. Courses ok Instruction at Secondary Schools. Courses of military instruction (barracks) were held at the following schools by the Director of Military Training and by members of the District Training Staffs during the Great War : Christ's College, King's College, Wanganui College, Waitaki High School, Nelson College, Otago Boys' High School, Wellington College, Timaru High School, Invercargill High School, Christchurch High School, St. Patrick's College, and Soots College. A high, standard of discipline was maintained throughout, these, barracks, and the results obtained from the instruction at these schools exceeded all expectations. The object of holding these barracks is as follows : The secondary schools of the Dominion, being essentially democratic in principle, permit the entrance of those youths possessing the best brains. It is generally recognized that officers should be selected not by reason of their birth or financial position, but because of their mental capacity. The Territorial and Cadet Forces require large numbers of well-trained officers and non-commissioned officers, who not only will have to command in the future, but also instruct those under their charge. By means of these barracks the, attention of the Cadets is directed towards serving their country as efficient officers or non-commissioned officers in the future. In addition these barracks result in a healthy spirit of rivalry being created between the, secondary schools of the Dominion, many of the best vying with each other to possess the, best Cadet unit. These barracks are held at the expense of the schools concerned, and cost practically nothing to the Defence Department. No attempt is made to restrict them to the big or wealthy schools, every secondary school in the Dominion being offered an equal opportunity of holding barracks. The enthusiasm which prevails is evidenced by the fact that the Director of Military Training has twice held barracks at one school in the Dominion, practically all of whose pupils have free places, where, however, the enthusiasm is so great that each Cadet voluntarily paid his expenses for a four-days course of instruction. During the war these barracks resulted in supplying the Defence Forces with a number of officers and N.C.O.s, in addition to officers for the Royal Air Force. Many schools have applied for barracks during the coming training season, and it is most satisfactory to note the spread of this system of training. Instructional Staff and Officers of the Territorial and Cadet Forces. Great credit is due to the efforts of the Instructional Staffs and those officers of the Cadet and Territorial Forces who during the war have done so much towards the training of all ranks for the, Expeditionary Force, while assisting the efficiency and discipline of the Territorial and Cadet units, although severely handicapped by lack of instructors and instructional equipment of all kinds. The work of many of these officers and non-commissioned officers has been done at considerable, self-sacrifice, and the greatest credit is due to those who, notwithstanding unique and gigantic difficulties, helped to maintain the strength and efficiency of the Defence Forces. In this connec-

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