7

H.—l9

was a comparatively simple matter, but which would have developed into serious disabilities once these, non-commissioned officers had arrived at maturity. Similarly, the state of their teeth was found to be most deplorable. (See dental report under the Branch of the Adjutant-General.) Summary : Territorial and Cadet Forces during the Great War, 1914-18. Immediately following the declaration of war New Zealand was able to despatch the first Expeditionary Force of the Empire to occupy Samoa. Shortly afterwards an Expeditionary Force was sent to Egypt for service where required, and for the duration of the war. Simultaneously with the declaration of war Reinforcement camps were formed, and from these camps regular Reinforcements, trained to a satisfactory degree of both efficiency and discipline, have uninterruptedly followed. All of the Expeditionary Forces and the Expeditionary Force camps were largely composed of members of the New Zealand Permanent and Territorial Force, and, but for the training and the good equipment of the Defence Forces prior to the war, the Expeditionary Force could not have been despatched except after considerable, delay. At the, commencement of hostilities the Territorial Force was at a total strength of approximately 29,000, and from this Force some 500 officers and 5,000 other ranks became immediately available for the first Expeditionary Forces. The total strength of officers and other ranks which have passed from the Territorial Force to the. Expeditionary Forces abroad throughout the war is approximately 1,500 officers and 40,000 other ranks. In addition the majority of the Administrative and Training Staffs of the Expeditionary Force camps were composed of officers and non-commissioned officers of the Territorial Force, while the vacancies created in the four military districts by the absence on war service of Staff Corps officers and members of the Permanent Staff were filled by the, temporary appointment of officers and noncommissioned officers from the Territorial and Cadet Forces. In addition to this severe drain on the Instructional and Administrative Staffs of Territorial units, the requirements of the Expeditionary Force levied a severe contribution on the arms and instructional equipment of both the Territorial and Cadet Forces. This resulted in these Forces being deprived of a large percentage of their best officers and non-commissioned officers and men, and, in addition, losing a large portion of their necessary training-equipment at a time of extreme emergency. The consequent difficulties of successfully carrying out the training of the Cadet and Territorial Forces became great, and would have been impossible but for the hard and conscientious work of those in charge of this important training. Thanks to the work of those members of the Permanent Staff remaining, and to officers and non-commissioned officers of the Territorial and Cadet Forces, the Expeditionary Force was uninterruptedly fed with its necessary quota of efficient officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. During the war the total strength of the Territorial Force became absorbed into the Expeditionary Force ; in addition, approximately 10,000 others were trained in its ranks who subsequently joined the Expeditionary Force. This is clear proof of the value of the Territorial Force throughout the war. When faced with the problem of continuing the training of the Territorial Force in 1914 the Defence Department decided that it was essential to the efficiency of the Expeditionary Force that this training should continue throughout the war. As a result of this policy some 8,000 Cadets were annually enrolled and trained in the Cadet Force, while an approximately equal number were annually transferred to the Territorial Force after completing four years of progressive training ; while from the Territorial Force from 8,000 to 10,000 transferred annually to the Expeditionary Force. By this means the Expeditionary Force was continually fed with a supply of trained officers, non-commissioned officers, and Territorials, the majority of whom had several years' experience in the Cadet and Territorial Forces before proceeding to the front. This provided the Expeditionary Force Reinforcements with a stiffening of trained officers, non-commissioned officers, and Territorials, who proved of the utmost value in expediting the training of those joining the Expeditionary Force without previous military experience. As an example of what was done in this connection, one military district alone posted 10,286 Cadets to the Territorial Force during the war, and 9,018 Territorials to the Expeditionary Force during the same period. These figures are representative of the record of the remaining three military districts, and show that practically every officer, non-commissioned officer, and man of the Territorial Force eligiblefor service at the front joined the Expeditionary Force. The officers and non-commissioned officers temporarily posted to the Training and Administrative Staffs at the commencement of the war did their best to carry out their duties satisfactorily, and in the majority of cases became efficient with experience. Owing to the calls of essential industries, the drills and parades of both Territorial and Cadet Forces were considerably curtailed in November, 1917. The result of this curtailment was to considerably reduce the Territorial and Cadet training in the country areas. While it was essential to interfere as little as possible with the business of the country, this reduction of training naturally decreased the efficiency of Territorial and Cadet units. The outstanding feature, however, of the reports received annually from each military district was that an increased discipline was apparent in both the Territorial and Cadet Forces. This is largely attributable to the attention which has been paid to Cadet training throughout the war. In order to avoid interference with the essential business of the country, exemption from military training was made exceptionally easy. This was accomplished by special arrangements being made, placing the power of exemption in the hands of senior officers, from whom exemption was obtainable