H.—l9.

(I) Oednance Workshops. The large increase in work at the Ordnance Workshops, Trentham, has proved the accommodation there to be totally inadequate for the demands made upon it, and unless some relief is afforded the efficiency of the workshops will be seriously impaired. Proposals for alterations to the existing building, and the construction of new buildings, are now being considered. (m) Aemoueees' Woekshop. Owing to the very large increase in the number of weapons to be handled —Rifles, machine guns, Thompson guns, &c. —it was found necessary to make provision for a new workshop. This is now under construction at Trentham. RATIONS AND SUPPLIES. (a) 2nd New Zealand Expeditionaey Foeoh. in accordance with the charter arrangements, troops on transports are catered for by the ships' owners, and arrangements have been made that as far as possible all foodstuffs required for this purpose are purchased in New Zealand. In addition, the Army Department places on board each transport reserve rations and landing rations. (b) Mobilization Camps and Foetress Teoops. These camps, equipped with modern cooking appliances, cool rooms, and stores, arc working most satisfactorily, and no complaints of a serious nature have occurred during the year. The system of rationing on a monetary basis instead of on a fixed scale has worked well, and has given scope for initiative of the Q.M. and kitchen staffs. (c) Teeeitoeial Camps. Rationing of these camps is on similar lines to the mobilization camps, but owing to the large numbers of untrained personnel and the lack of experience of Q.M. and kitchen staffs, some units had justifiable cause of complaint. In every instance where investigation proved the complaints to be well founded, measures were taken to remove the cause. As a result of the experience gained and the improvement in training of the staff, a recurrence of such complaints is not anticipated. (d) FoEAGE FOE HORSES. The feeding of some 4,000 horses for a period of two months presented a considerable problem, especially as the vast majority came into camp direct from pasture feed. The collaboration of the Veterinary Services, the Lands Department, Defence Purchase Officer, and the District Supply Oiiicers resulted in the provision without hitch of ample and suitable forage, comprising some J ,400 tons of chaff, 700 tons of hay, 400 tons of oats, and 100 tons of bran, in addition to green feed, salt, linseed, &c. (e) Supplies foe Impeeial Forces. Assistance has been given the Marketing Department in the specification, packing, and shipment of largo quantities of primary products for Mid and Far East, also of canteen supplies to N.A.A.F.I. CAMP COOKS. The necessity for some improvement in the standard of camp cooks is apparent. Complaints re food in camps can be traced to bad preparation and indifferent cooking. This matter is receiving attention. CANTEENS. (a) 2nd New Zealand Expeuitionaey Fokoe. Canteens on troopships are operated by the owners under the supervision of Canteen Officers appointed by the O.C. Troops. Canteens are stocked as far as possible with New Zealand goods. Price-lists are prepared by Army Headquarters and based on the net cost of New Zealand currency, the margin for working-expenses and profit being the exchange between New Zealand currency and sterling. This ensures the troops obtaining canteen supplies at most advantageous prices, very considerably lower than New Zealand retail rates. Overseas the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force share in the activities of N.A.A.F.I. In addition, the Now Zealand Forces Club caters especially for New Zealand troops, and supplies of Now Zealand produce— i.e., tobacco, cigarettes, chocolate, bacon, butter, New Zealand tinned fish, potatoes, &c. —are shipped regularly for this purpose. (b) " A " Foece. Canteen supplies are forwarded regularly with rations, and the canteen is operated by the O.C. Troops, all profits being devoted to purchase of amenities for the personnel. (c) " B " Force. Canteens have been conducted by the Brigade staff, local supplies being supplemented from. New Zealand as demanded. Arrangements have now been made whereby in future the canteens will be operated in all respects by the New Zealand Canteens Board. (d) Camps in New Zealand. All canteens in New Zealand are operated by the Canteen Board, under the supervision of Camp Commandants, and arc all giving efficient service.

2—H. 19.

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