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During the year the following awards were made to members of the Military Forces serving in New Zealand :—: C.B .. 1 M.B.E 9 C.B.E. .. .. .. 1 A.R.R.C. .. .. . 2 0.8. E. .. .. .. 4 B.E.M. .. .. .. 7 Foreign Awards.—Foreign decorations have been awarded to members of the New Zealand Military Forces by Allied Nations as follows : — U.S.A. 24 Greece .. .. .. .. .. 48 U.S.S.R 1 Establishments Operational and domestic establishments are constantly under review to ensure that the minimum number of men and women are employed in the Army consistent with an efficient organization. Army inspecting officers are constantly examining all establishments to ensure that the maximum effort is being made to conserve man-power. Social Workers It is still necessary to maintain a service for troops in camps and hospitals, but as camps are vacated the number of social workers is reduced accordingly. Those employed on social work are kept at a minimum, and the various organizations are co-operating with the Army in conducting an efficient service. Prisoners of War and Internees Japanese prisoners of war, comprising 9 officers and 796 other ranks, are held in the Prisoner-of-war Camp at Featherston. The civilian internment camp was moved from Pahiatua to Somes Island during September, 1944, and 53 internees are now detained. Polish Refugee Camp A camp at Pahiatua made available by the Government for the Polish refugee children has been staffed largely by the Army, which also provides the supplies and transport required in connection with the camp. New Zealand Prisoners of War With the impending defeat of Germany complete arrangements were made for the reception handling, and entertainment of approximately 6,400 New Zealand prisoners of war who were due to be returned from the Continent. Suitable buildings—hotels and other similar accommodation were taken over and staffed by officers and other ranks from the 2nd Division and, to a limited extent, from New Zealand. Stores and Equipment With the progressive disbandment of units, Ordnance Corps and mechanical transport establishments have been able to give greater attention to the concentration, classification, and maintenance of stores, a complete stocktaking and a progressive clearance of surplus holdings of arms, equipment, and ammunition. Surplus Stores.- A large quantity of clothing not suitable for reissue to troops, but with a sales value, has accumulated at ordnance depots. This is under offer to UNRRA and the Netherlands East Indies Government through the War Assets Realization Board. Miscellaneous items, which included barbed wire, blankets, and medical supplies, to the value of £160,114 17s. Bd., were disposed of to other Government Departments and to the general public. Mechanical Transport.—The number of vehicles of all types on charge to the Army in New Zealand as at 31st March, 1944, was 22,190, and by 31st March, 1945, this figure had been reduced to 10,931. This large number of vehicles was disposed of as follows:— (a) Through Ministry of Supply and War Assets Realization Board .. 8,146 (ib) Transferred to British and Allied services overseas .. .. .. 2 553 (c) Transferred to other services and Departments in New Zealand .. 560 An average of 715 vehicles per week has been completely overhauled or repaired in Army workshops. These include all 3rd Division vehicles returned to this country, a number of which, completely reconditioned, has already been transferred for overseas use. The workshops are also carrying out repairs for Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force, and the United States Joint Purchasing Board, and, in addition, 500 United States Marine Corps vehicles from forward areas have been reconditioned. The Army is now rapidly approaching the last of its holdings of commercial type trucks, all of which are being made available for disposal. Petrol.—Army petrol reserves have again been drawn upon for military requirements, the consumption in New Zealand amounting to 1,508,000 gallons. Ammunition. —The production of small-arms ammunition has been reduced to a minimum, and as anticipated in last year's report, the War Office has taken over many of our surplus holdings of <*un ammunition.

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