H.—l9

Ordnance Workshops.— The Ordnance Workshops are responsible for the initial handling of all: coast defence guns, field artillery and A.A. guns, and the highly technical equipment which goes with them, and for their regular maintenance and overhaul. All gun equipments and other technical equipment have to be carefully inspected and adjusted before issue to units, and this work requires skilled tradesmen and artificers. In addition, the necessary overhauls of existing equipments have been heavy and frequent owing to the increased use of them. Armourers.— A new Armourers' Workshop has been completed and handed over by the contractor. Uniforms and Clothing. —During the year the change-over from service-dress to battle-dress for the Territorial Force has been effected. This change-over released a considerable quantity of servicedress clothing, which, after dry cleaning and repair, was issued to the Home Guard. Big demands are now being made upon the productive capacity of the country to meet the requirements of the expanding forces and our overseas commitments. By the utilization of a woollen cloth in addition to the worsted cloth now in use the weekly production of battle-dress will be expanded by 50 per cent. The woollen-cloth battle-dress will not be sent overseas, but will be used for troops mobilized for Home Defence and for the Home Guard. Rations and Supplies. The A.S.C. services have been increased to meet the greater needs of mobilization. They will be able to meet the full supply requirements of the Army. A very valuable addition has been provided by the formation of a number of transport companies for use on Lines of Communication. These L. of C. M.T. companies have depended on voluntary services in respect to both personnel and vehicles, the personnel being enlisted in the Home Guard. Reserve rations have been assembled to meet warfare conditions. During the year a change-over was made in New Zealand from a maximum-cost basis to a fixed scale of rations. The New Zealand ration scale compares more than favourably with those of Great Britain and sister Dominions. Canteens. Canteen services have been provided in both New Zealand and overseas under arrangements with the Canteen Board. To meet the needs of mobilization some units have been running their own canteens, and in some cases the canteens have been run by or with the assistance of institutions. A definite plan of canteen and institutional services has been co-ordinated as and between.the Canteen Board, Patriotic Fund Board, and the various institutions concerned. The happiest co-operation has been given the Army by the Canteen Board, the National Patriotic Fund Board, and the various institutions in this work. The Canteen Board has allocated to the Army £30,750 as representing Army's portion of the net profits for distribution to troops. This distribution has been carried out and has materially helped in augmenting the regimental funds of units, as well as giving assistance to those troops who embarked for Mid-East. Wet canteens are open in certain camps in New Zealand. These are run by the Canteen Board in conjunction with the Army. The conduct of the men is closely watched. Each man pays for his own drinks, and no free drinks are given. The serving staff is mostly comprised of returned soldiers who are ineligible for active service. Modern equipment has been fitted, together with an efficient accounting system. The wet canteen services thus provided are beneficial and definitely filling a need, and the incidence of drunkenness in camps where wet canteens are installed is markedly low when compared with that in camps where wet canteens have not so far been installed. Petrol. The necessary reserves of petrol, oil, and lubricants have been arranged for and placed at strategical points throughout the country. A programme of camouflage is in hand. Arrangements have also been effected for a complete system of war supplies, and in this connection thanks are due to the co-operation given by the oil companies. These companies have also given valuable assistance in respect to the designing of special filling plant to meet the requirements of war. Horses. Mounted Rifle regiments were mechanized early in the current year and are now A.F.V. regiments. A number of Independent M.R. squadrons still exists, the horses being provided by the members of the units. Movement of Troops : Shipping and Railways. The overseas movement of all Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel is arranged and co-ordinated by Army. During the year under review there has been considerable movement of Army personnel both within New Zealand and overseas. The mobilization of the home forces and the granting of extended privileges in the form of leave and furlough have greatly increased the numbers of troops travelling within the Dominion. Overseas movements have also been considerable. The very close liaison which exists between Army and the Railways Department has resulted in all rail movements having been carried out with smoothness and precision.

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