7

H.-19

It is sometimes thought that in the returned troops of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force the, Dominion still possesses a thoroughly efficient and available land Force. Age, disability, and domestic responsibilities have already reduced this fine body of troops to a very small proportion of effectives, and each year this reduction increases. Given adequate training, we have in the youth and manhood of this Dominion the. finest material for the rapid production of the necessary Defence Forces, but the achievements of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the late war and spontaneous response during the more recent Turkish crisis must not be allowed to outweigh the necessity of providing up-to-date equipment, war reserves, and expert instruction. Military science, methods, and armament are constantly changing and developing. The new weapons and agencies of war demand special training and technical knowledge. With this object in view, and while keeping financial expenditure and the interruption of civil life and avocations down to the absolute minimum, it is essential that this careful individual instruction and collective training be provided, so that if the occasion arises the Citizen Forces and manhood of the Dominion will be enabled to meet a hostile Force upon comparatively equal terms. These precautionary measures are not provocative, their neglect is. Should the necessity for the mobilization of the Dominion land Forces never arise, the expenditure on their organization and training is by no means wasted. The fact that this Dominion, with the other parts of the Empire, can, if called upon, provide expeditiously an efficient Defence Force will not only assist to maintain peace, but add weight to the Empire's representation in any necessity for international arbitration. From a national point of view the physical well-being, self-reliance, and loyal team work which is inculcated in service training is also a distinct advantage and helpful in preparation for civil life and citizenship. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, . C. W. Melvill, Major-General, Commanding N.Z. Military Forces.

APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I. A. —Table Showing Strength of N.Z. Military Forces on 31st May, 1924.

B. —Territorial Force, Cadets, and Rifle Clubs. Officers. ™£[ Total. Territorial Force .. .. .. .. 609 15,186 15,795 Cadets .. .. .. .. .. 414* 24,564f 24,978 1,023 39,750 40,773 C. —Rifle Clubs. Number of clubs : 168. Number of members : 5,372.

* These are Territorial officers seconded for service with the Cadets. t Includes 104 Territorials who have been seconded for service with the Cadets as non-commissioned officers.

Unit. Officers. Other Ranks Paid from Expenses Permanent. Temporary. Vote. Other Ranks. Paid from War Expenses Vote. Permanent. Temporary. N.Z. Staff Corps N.Z. Permanent Staff R.N.Z.A. .. R.N.Z.A. (Supernumerary) N.Z. Army Ordnance Corps .. N.Z. Army Pay Corps N.Z. Permanent Air Force .. N.Z.A.S.C. (Permanent) Temporary-employment Section N.Z. Medical Corps 70 15 6 6 4 .126 95 13 69 11 7 33 1 1 1 19 2 2 .12 1 2 1 Totals 102 2 1 321 56 15