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N.Z. Regular Force Enlistment of Officers On 31st March, 1948, the Temporary Staff and Interim Army organizations were disbanded. All Regular Force officers on the Supernumerary List —with the exception of a few who were retained owing to the exigencies of the Service —also ceased active duty on 31st March, 1948. In order to complete peace establishments and maintain efficiency, 65 officers have been enlisted in the Regular Force during the year ; of these 22 are for short-service engagements varying from a few months to five years. 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) During the period 21st May to 20th June, 1947, the assembly and organization of the Second Relief were completed. The numbers who sailed for Japan on 15th July, 1947, after embarkation leave of eight clear days, were as follows : Replacement personnel — Officers. Other Ranks. European .. .. .. .. .. 54 1,346 Maori .. .. .. .. .. 3 365 57 1,711 Returning after leave — European .. .. .. .. .. 8 6 Maori .. .. .. .. .. 2 10 6 Total embarked .. .. ..67 1,717 A supplementary draft consisting of 19 officers and 163 other ranks embarked at Auckland on 28th August, 1947. This draft was made up of 2 officers and 50 other ranks replacement personnel and 17 officers and 113 other ranks returning after leave in New Zealand. Personnel returned from Japan as under : Officers. Other Ranks. First draft disembarked sth - 6th July, 1947 . . .. 70 1,809 \ Second draft disembarked 27th August, 1947 .. .. 55 1,418 Rear party from Japan disembarked 30th September, 1947 30 227 Supplementary drafts returned to New Zealand during the period for discharge on medical grounds, for compassionate reasons, or on the completion of their tour of duty comprise the following total: 69 officers ; 81 other ranks. Arrangements have been completed for the return of 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) to New Zealand beginning in June. It is hoped to have this Force disembarked in New Zealand by 30th September, 1948. N.Z. Regular Force Recruitment Recruiting for the N.Z. Regular Force commenced in June, 1947, with a press release by v the Hon. Minister of Defence. On 3rd November, 1947, it was decided to form a Home Service Section of the N.Z. Regular Force. This Section would consist of other ranks not fit for active service on account of either age or medical fitness or both. In February, 1948, approval was obtained to begin the following enlistments in the N.Z. Regular Force : (i) Cadets : Youths between the ages of 16 years and 17 {| years for service as apprentices or instructors. (ii) Officers and Other Ranks: N.Z.A.N.S. and N.Z.W.A.C. (iii) Tradesmen : Specialist tradesmen up to 250 total from United Kingdom.

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