7

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field training and exercises is so very limited. The recruit must join his battalion or other unit with his preliminary training in drill and discipline so far advanced that he can take up without delay the more advanced and specialized work commencing with his Territorial service. This must obviously be essential in view of the short duration of service in the Territorial Force and the necessity of devoting all the time and opportunities available to proficiency with weapons and the tactical handling of sub-units in the field. For the above reasons I attach the utmost importance to the Cadet training, and more especially to the higher training of those in their final year in the Cadet Force. lam convinced that the general standard of training and satisfactory results which I witnessed at the Territorial camps this year was very largely due to careful preliminary training in the Cadets. With our short period of service in the Territorial Force it is more than ever essential that the latter part of the Cadets' training shall be regarded as recruit training for his Territorial unit and arm. In my opinion the two services are interdependent. It is very pleasing for me again to report the continued public interest in the Military Forces which is apparent throughout the Dominion, and is indicated by the general interest in the annual camps, and the large attendance at the several presentations of colours and other ceremonial parades. I have to acknowledge the willing and valuable assistance given by employers of labour, public bodies, racing clubs, and other organizations in the training of the Forces, and more especially in granting the use of land and other facilities in connection with the annual training-camps. Their assistance in this way has also been very much appreciated by the unit commanders and by the troops themselves. 4. THE CADETS. In my last report I pointed out the difficulties which were being experienced in the training of the Cadets, owing to the large numbers requiring to be handled and also the shortage of officers. The postponement of the commencement of training until the Ist June of the year in which the Cadet attains his fifteenth year has now been in force for one year, and has proved beneficial in reducing the congestion in drill-halls and in enabling more individual instruction to be given. Largely for this reason the progress of the Cadets has been very satisfactory, and the new syllabus of training has had a valuable effect in stimulating interest and in furthering the efficiency of the Cadet Force. I regret that there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of officers serving with Cadet units. The task of such officers is difficult. As compared with their fellow-officers in Territorial units they are deprived of the satisfaction of seeing the result of their efforts in a body of men trained as a fighting unit. In view, however, of the considerations mentioned under the heading " Territorial Force," I wish it to be understood that I regard the work of these officers as exceedingly important; to a large extent the fighting efficiency of the Territorial Force is governed by the preliminary instruction received in the Cadets. The reduction in the total period of Cadet training, together with the new syllabus, should enable officers to provide and maintain interest in their companies. In the Imperial Challenge Shields Competition for 1928 New Zealand entered 4,726 Cadets, a reduction of 302 on those of the previous year. This reduction is regretted, but with the co-operation of the secondary schools it is confidently anticipated that record entries will be made in future. In New Zealand, Earl Jellicoe's Trophy was won by D Company, 4th (Cadet) Battalion, the Auckland Regiment, to whom Earl Jellicoe sent his congratulations. The competition for the Campbell Statuette was won by C Company, 3rd (Cadet) Battalion, the Otago Regiment (Oamaru City Cadets), for the second year in succession. 5. VISIT OF OFFICER FROM THE WAR OFFICE. Major H. G. Eady, M.C., R.E., of the General Staff at the War Office, paid an official visit to the Dominion early in 1929. The action of the Chief of the Imperial General Staff in thus sending a representative to New Zealand was much appreciated, and proved very beneficial in many ways connected with organization and training. These visits to the overseas Dominions do much to promote a closer personal understanding at the War Office of our local military conditions and requirements, and assist in maintaining that uniformity in organization and training throughout the military forces of the Empire which is a great advantage in peace and essential in war. 6. COMBINED OPERATIONS. Early in April, 1929, a Staff exercise without troops was held north of Auckland for all senior officers of the N.Z. Permanent Forces. Six officers of the N.Z. Division of the Royal Navy also attended. This exercise, while working out certain problems connected with the defence of the Dominion, was primarily designed to practice all officers in the staff duties connected with embarkation and disembarkation. Though only of six days' duration, the exercise proved most valuable in emphasizing many important lessons regarding efficient staff work in the field. A very successful exercise was carried out in February, 1929, in combination with the N.Z. Division of the Royal Navy, when a force consisting of the Ist Battalion, the Auckland Regiment, together with detachments of other arms, was embarked in H.M. ships, landed at dawn on an open beach, and, after attack practice, subsequently re-embarked. Operating from the Air Base at Hobsonville, the N.Z. Permanent Air Force took an active part in this combined exercise. In addition to the aerial photographs taken before and during the actual operations, the close reconnaissance work carried out during the attack was most useful to the controlling staff and military units engaged.