H.—l9.

(b) Military Education Abroad. With the rapid development of new weapons and changes in tactics resulting from their adoption, it has become increasingly important that officers and non-commissioned officers of the Regular Forces should gain experience with the British Army and at training establishments abroad. During the year five officers received instruction in England or India and four officers and thirteen non-commissioned officers attended short courses of a technical nature in Australia. The training of Regular personnel in Australia has been of great benefit to those concerned. The Chief of the General Staff in Australia has been most helpful in arranging for the attendance of personnel from New Zealand at various courses of instruction held throughout the year. Quite apart from the great value of the training received, the liaison established by our Regular personnel with the personnel of the Australian Military Forces is most desirable. I wish to express my appreciation of the co-operation of the Chief of the General Staff in Australia in making the services of a warrant officer (Sergeant-Major Bromley, of the Australian Instructional Corps) available for the training of instructors of the New Zealand Regular Forces in the Bren armoured carrier. (c) Training in New Zealand. In addition to courses of instruction at the Army School which are mentioned elsewhere and the normal day-to-day training of the Regular soldier, the following annual courses of instruction were carried out: — (a) A course of instruction of two weeks' duration for all officers of the New Zealand Staff Corps and N.C.O.'s of the New Zealand Permanent Staff was held in each district. (b) Courses of collective training for Field and Coast Artillery Cadres of the R.N.Z.A., each of two weeks' duration, were carried out at Waiouru and Auckland respectively. (d) Casualties. During the year under review two officers reached the retiring age and left the Service, and one officer resigned. During the same period there were forty discharges of W.O's, N.C.O.'s, and men ; of this number, twenty-three were discharged at their own request (nineteen by purchase), five reached the retiring age, three were medically unfit, two died, and three were discharged. In addition to the above, four were victims of a fatal accident. The strength of the Regular Forces is shown in Appendix I (a). 3. TERRITORIAL FORCE. (a) General. A most satisfactory aspect of the year's activity is the very marked improvement in attendance at annual camps and courses of instruction by members of the Territorial Force. The following comparative statement amply illustrates this improvement:—-

The camp attendance is by far the best achieved since the inception of the system of voluntary enlistment and has raised the efficiency of the Territorial Force considerably. I would ascribe the improved results obtained during the last year to the following causes :— Increased public support of the Territorial Force due to the international situation, and to a better appreciation by the public of the service which our volunteers are rendering the community. In this respect the whole-hearted co-operation of the returned soldiers has been most valuable, particularly in outlying centres. The assistance given by civilian employers and Government Departments in releasing Territorials for training, often at inconvenience to other members of the staffs concerned. The valuable and practical help given by the Territorial Force Association and by Regimental and Platoon Associations, both as regards recruiting and in fostering the social activities of units. I regard this work as a most important factor not only in obtaining men, but also in maintaining their interest during the full period of their service. Improved conditions of service, including increased pay allowances. The vigorous recruiting and publicity campaign, which has been carried on largely by the units themselves under the direction of Territorial publicity officers. More interesting training, including that given at the Army and District Schools of Instruction. The provision of modern arms and equipment for training and for use in war. The provision of more attractive uniforms for social and ceremonial occasions.

2

1937-38. | 1938-39. I Total attended camp .. .. .. 3,125 7,296 Total attended six days' course only .. .. 1,156 • 568 Total attended camp and course .. .. 948 2,448 Camp attendance as percentage of— Peace establishment .. .. .. 33 73-6 Strength on 28th February .. .. 41 77-3