25

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the numbers of individuals posted. It must, however, be understood that no extra squadrons, companies, &c, are to be added to units without sanction from Headquarters, and that the proportion of the various ranks is constant. Provision has already been made for the addition of an extra detached squadron to each of the following regiments of Mounted Rifles : — Ist (Canterbury Yeomanry), at Kaikoura. 4th (Waikato), at Whakatane or Opotiki. 9th (Wellington East Coast), at Gisborne. 11th (N. Auckland), at Kaitaia or Mongonui. Senior Cadet companies may vary considerably in strength ; but no company may consist of less than one officer and thirty cadets, and the full establishment as laid down should be aimed at as far as possible. Maoris. 8. Those Maoris who have registered are to be enrolled. In districts where the Native population is scattered, Maoris will be posted to squadrons and companies as individuals. In places where there are large Native settlements or pahs Maori troops or sections will be formed as part of the establishment of squadrons or companies. Should the number of Europeans registered be sufficient to complete the required establishment without the inclusion of Maoris, a fifth Maori troop or section should be formed extra to the establishment of the squadron or company. The appointment of Maoris as N.C.O.s and the recommendation of Maoris for commissions to serve with these extra troops or sections is left to the discretion of Commanding Officers. All Maoris of the Senior Cadet age will be enrolled, posted, and trained as Senior Cadets. Religious Objectors. 9. In the case of certain well-known denominations, such as Friends (Quakers), the posting officers will post to non-combatant branches without further question. In other cases, when there, is any doubt as to the authenticity of the claim, the posting officers will demand such further proof as they require. The Act provides that the burden of proving exemption— i.e., from combatant training—lies with the person claiming exemption; such proof would take the form of a ruling from a Magistrate's Court or from a Stipendiary Magistrate. Sailors. 10. Men within the age of liability who are continuously employed on coasting-vessels or on ships plying to and from New Zealand must register, but will not be enrolled at present. Recapitulation. 11. The above are the general principles on which the General Officer Commanding wishes the posting to be carried out. They may be summed up as follows : Each regiment of Mounted Rifles, Battery, Engineer company, company of the Medical Corps, Cadet company or other unit (the boundaries for Infantry battalions are already allotted) must be allotted its own definite boundaries within which its men are enrolled and drilled ; the area so enclosed must, in the case of each unit, be divided up again, and each squadron, company, &c, must be allotted its own definite boundaries within which its men are enrolled and drilled ; again, the area so enclosed must in the case of each squadron and company be divided up once more, so that every troop and section is allotted its own definite boundaries within which its men are enrolled and drilled ; in the backblocks and thinly populated districts the area so enclosed may in the case of each troop and section have to be divided up yet again, so that each squad or group of a dozen men have their own definite area and drill-centre ; and so on, until every soldier and cadet is allotted to a drill-centre within one hour's journey of where he lives. Whether it be a company, half-company, section, or squad centre will depend on the local conditions. 12. Further definite instructions will be issued in due course when the reports, &c, asked for by Headquarters from Districts have been received and studied. Until then, the General Officer Commanding wishes the principles laid down in this memorandum to be studied by all concerned, with a view to their application when the time for posting arrives. Meanwhile all officers, Warrant officers, and N.C.O.s of the Permanent Stall' should devote their time to the instruction of Territorial officers and N.C.O.s, and to the drilling of such men as are available. Circulation of Instructions. 13. It has come to the notice of the General Officer Commanding during his late tours of inspection that in many cases instructions, such as these, issued from Headquarters have not reached the subordinate members of the Permanent Staff and the company, &c, commanders of the Territorial Force. He wishes particular attention to be paid to the thorough circulation and distribution of all orders and information, and desires that Officers Commanding Districts shall take the necessary steps to insure that all concerned are made acquainted with the contents of this memorandum. J. T. Burnett-Stuart, Lieut.-Colonel, Imperial General Staff, Headquarters, N.Z. Military Forces, Wellington, 30th June, 1911.

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