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Owing to the short term of service, and to the fact that no collective training had been carried out since the war, the work was of necessity still largely confined to elementary individual instruction, and very little field-work was possible, but under the circumstances the results obtained were satisfactory. The periods of consecutive training were arranged, as far as possible, to suit employers and employees, and from reports and personal observation it is obvious that continuous training in unit camps is not only essential to efficiency, but would be welcomed by both trainees and employers. If the best results are to be obtained from the present expenditure on defence, and the fullest advantage taken of the very limited time now available for training, it is obvious that these periods of continuous and collective training should be developed to the fullest extent possible during the coming year. During the past year much care and energy have been devoted to elementary individual instruction. Collective training in field-work is only possible when a unit is concentrated for a period of continuous training, and, in addition, it is only by this means that cohesion and flexibility can be imparted to the troops themselves, and a much-needed incentive and practical demonstration given of the object and result of previous individual instruction. Further, and most important of all, these periods of collective continuous training alone provide the opportunity for the regimental officers and N.C.O.s to acquire and practise those qualities of leadership and control which are indispensable to efficiency in peace and success in war. Free rations and quarters, where required, were provided for those attending the periods of consecutive training, but the absence of pay caused hardship in many cases, and universal dissatisfaction. Employers, as well as the troops themselves, are insistent that pay must be provided when employees are taken away from their employment for consecutive training. I would most earnestly direct attention to this necessity, and strongly recommend that pay of rank be granted for all continuous training during the coming year. A limited number of special courses of instruction for officers and N.C.O.s were held during the year. Although attendance, was voluntary, large numbers availed themselves of the excellent opportunity afforded of obtaining further and more advanced instruction. It was found that these additional courses were badly needed, and a more comprehensive programme will be undertaken next year, when it is hoped to hold special courses for officers and N.C.O.s of all arms and services. The courses have a most beneficial result on training generally, and also in preparing officers and N.C.O.s for promotion examinations. The training of the Artillery has considerably improved this year owing to the reintroduction of continuous training and to the fact that most batteries have carried out considerable voluntary training in addition to the small amount which, is compulsory. All batteries have carried out practice with live shell. Difficulty of finding suitable practice-grounds is increasing every year, and in some instances this detracts from, the value of the practice. It was found possible to provide a small nucleus of horses for camps, which enabled a beginning to be made in the training of drivers and N.C.O.s for mounted duties. In some cases these horses were supplemented by hire out of private funds and by loans from patriotic residents in the neighbourhood of camps, thus enabling training to be commenced in movement and occupation of positions. It is hoped that finance will admit of more progress next year in this direction. The provision of a small number of mules for the pack batteries is an urgent necessity. The Engineers,' Signals, Army Service Corps, and Army Medical Services were all enabled, by reason of the continuous training, to carry out their training under more advantageous conditions and obtain better results than for some years past. The musketry, light automatic and machine gun training for the year shows satisfactory results. Notwithstanding the inevitable, restrictions which have been imposed on general training by the limited Defence vote and consequent reduced term of service, special attention has been devoted to these important weapons. It is satisfactory to note that this particular branch of training is now at a higher and more universal standard of efficiency than ever before. The present standard, however, is nob much above that laid down for recruits in the Regular Army. 5. Cadets. Training for the year was the same as for the previous year, except that in the country districts 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 enabled the instructors to work more drill-centres, besides largely reducing the loss of time and the expense incurred in travelling. The training in the Cadets (other than secondary-school units) cannot reach a very high standard under present conditions, but good work is being done, and the results are on the whole satisfactory. It is a noticeable fact that Cadet N.C.O.s of to-day are not as efficient and capable as those of a few years ago, most of whom passed through courses at General Headquarters School, Trcntham. By means of various competitions a healthy rivalry and keen competitive spirit is fostered among units, which does much towards securing the interest of the boys in their training, besides setting a standard to be attained. In the competitions for Mr. Eric Riddiford's Cup and Colonel G. F. C. Campbell's trophy, which were won respectively by Scots College Cadets (Wellington) and the Nelson City Cadets, the efficiency of the competing units.was something to be admired, and as an indication of the standard attained in musketry the results of the competitions for His Excellency the Governor-General's trophy and the Imperial Challenge Shield competition speak for themselves and justify the commendation received from His Majesty the King.
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