3

H.—l9

Reasons for non-posting of above : — (a.) Placed on Non-effective List owing to distance from training-centre .. 1,549 (£>.) Registrations held over (boys still attending primary schools) .. 660 (c.) Obviously medically unfit .. .. . . .. . . 4.1. (ti.) Permanently medically unfit .. .. .. .. .. 35 (c.) Unfit for current year . . .. . . .. .. .. 1 (/'.) Exempted on grounds of religions belief . . . . .. .. 7 (</.) Undesirable .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 2,306 Territorial Force. Liable for posting to Territorial Force .. .. .. .. 9,395 Actually posted to units of Territorial Force . . .. .. .. 4,831 Not posted .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,564 Reasons for non-posting of above : — (a.) Placed on Non-effective List owing to distance from training-centre .. 3,952 (li.) Permanently medically unfit .. . . . . .. .. 237 (c.) Temporarily medically unfit .. .. .. .. .. 210 (d.) Posting deferred owing to pending transfer .. . . .. 24 (c.) Retained as non-commissioned officers with Cadets.. .. .. 139 (/.) Immigrants over twenty-five years transferred to Reserve . . . . 2 4,564 During the year ten seaplane and twenty-four landplane pilots underwent refresher courses involving six hours dual and solo flying. On an average it required one hour twenty minutes dual flying before going solo, and pilots unanimously expressed the opinion that the course should be longer, and that an annual course was essential to enable them to retain their flying " touch." Seventy-two officers, all of whom served and received training in the Royal Air Force, have enrolled on the N.Z. Air Force Reserve, which at present consists of commissioned officers only. Later on all ranks of all branches will be enrolled, and when technical stores become available will be given an annual refresher training in their respective duties. With a Defence aerodrome and a small permanent staff it will be possible to carry out refresher courses for the Reserve and to train additional personnel at a reasonable cost. Remunerative civil flying can also be carried out. Territorial Force. The Territorial Force, though it received a fillip in September, 1922, as a result of the Turkish crisis, has suffered through the curtailment of training and the failure to reopen the School of Instruction, as well as from general lack of encouragement. The number of officers has decreased during the year, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to induce men to extend their service beyond the compulsory stage or to give the extra time required to qualify for promotion. Many are willing to devote time and energy towards the maintenance of an efficient force, but consider that opportunities for qualifying for promotion and for carrying out collective training are essential. At present it is a matter for great regret that many efficient officers, warrant officers, and non-commissioned officers who served in the war have retired from the Active List. The training for the year 1922-23 was reduced to twenty drills and twelve half-day parades, but many units decided to concentrate the bulk of these into six consecutive whole-day parades, for which, however, no pay or even lunch was provided by the public. These concentrated parades allowed of much better training, and proved to be less irksome to the trainee and his employer, than the periodical drills and half-day parades. The result shows clearly that camps are essential for both efficiency and economy. It is suggested that the training for the year 1923-24 should be as follows : (i) Eleven days' annual training in camp (exclusive of the days of arrival and departure) ; (ii) four half-day parades. Units drawn from cities or centres where home training can be satisfactorily carried out, will substitute five half-day parades and twelve drills for the first five days in camp. Until the financial position improves pay will not be given for the period in camp or for wholeday parades, but free rations and quarters will be provided. The musketry training of the Territorial Force for the year has resulted in a general all-round improvement with the rifle (see Appendix I). In addition, considerable progress has been made with machine-gun and light automatic-rifle training. With the short term of service now required of the men in the ranks, and also the reduction in the amount of annual training, it is next to impossible to proceed beyond advanced elementary individual instruction. The new 6 in. howitzer equipment wHi issued to batteries during the year, and the 3-7 in. howitzer is now being issued. All batteries, with the exception of two just formed, have carried out instructional practice. Cadets. Training for the year was reduced to twenty drills and twelve half-day parades, but, as in the case of Territorial units, concentrated training was tried with good results. In some country drill-centres where the services of an instructor could not be supplied regularly the whole year's training was concentrated into six consecutive whole-day parades. This system should be made compulsory, as it enables the instructor to work more drill-centres, besides largely reducing the loss of time and the expense incurred in travelling.