OUR TERRITORIAL FORCES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3160, 11 August 1917, Page 8

OUR TERRITORIAL FORCES

PROGRESS OF THE TRAINING

GOOD WORK BEING DONE

"During the coming year it is intended to devote particular attention to the instruction and training of the officers and non-commissioned' officers o£ tho Cadet and Territorial Force,": says the Com-, niandarit of-the New Zealand Forces in; his- annual: report. "The higher the standard, of effioiencv;;of -an officer or. non-commissioned 'officer tho ■ higher the efficiency'of those under his command, and the' more economical a unit becomes in life and treasure. -By means of Dominion andf-'district exercises it is hoped to give careful training to all those responsible for the future instruction of the Territorial and' Cadet Forces.

Lessons of the War. "The presont war has taken from tho Dominion the large majority of the most experienced officers and lion-commis-sioned officers and soldiers of the Territorial and Cadet Forces, only a percentage ot whom have yet returned. As a result tie bulk of the rank and file now serving in the ranks of the Territorial Force are recruits. This has in consequence reduced'the 1 standard of efficiency, and the training required frpm unit officers is of an elementary and individual nature. It has long been recognised in oil armies that upon this preliminary training depends the whole future success of a regiment or army. Faulty or too advanced a standard of training must result m indifferent or superficial soldiers. The ' greatest care is therefore being taken to ensure that all officers of, both forces Tealise their responsibility in this mutter, and are qualified or become qualified to undertake tho training of those under their charge. • . ... . ■ "A Dominion Staff exercise will again be held for senior Staff officers, followed by a district exercise in all tour districts, which will be attended by senior regimental officers. These will be held bs the Director of Military Training. Following these exercises will come tlio usual district refresher courses which will ensure all members of tho Perm ; ent and Temporary Staff, and cl I officeis and non-commissioned officers of the leiritorial and Cadet Forces, being up to date and competent as instructors prior to the annual training of their units. "The work performed by all ranks during the present training year lias been most Creditable. Several units inspected were found to bave considerably increased their standard in discipline and efficiency since last year. In only,a few cases was it found that units had declined'in this respect. The discipline of the majority of units has been excellent, an increasing improvement being made in this direction. When the great difficulties of tho present abnormal times, the shortage ol experienced officers and non-commission-ed officers, and the reduced training tnno caused through the necessity- for interfering with civil labour as little as possible, are taken into consideration, the results can only bo considered as most satisfactory. Certain, battalions are undoubtedly leading m discipline and eihciency, and it is generally recognised that the spirit and efficiency of a unit depend almost entirely on its officers. "The work performed in the annual camps was elementary in character and suited to tho age and experience of the majority of the Territorial soldiers, the great bulk of whom were recruits. Ani attempt on the part of certain officers to proceed to higher training was- stopped, ina specific instructions issued to prevent any waste of time. These instructions also insisted on young officers being put through a Tecrait courso until passed by the Adjutant cs fit to instruct their men. Almost without exception the standard of efficiency and discipline attained within the week's training was extraordinarily high, and fully justified i he expense and difficulty of holding these camps. The opportunities afforded officers and non-commissioned ofhcers to increase their knowledge of leadership and administration, and the cipline and efficiency of the Territorial, will prove of the utmost value when they are ultimately required for service with the Expeditionary Force.' Tho strength of the Now Zealand Forces on April 30, 1917, was as follows-.- ' Territorial Force ....: 22,171 Senior Cadets '. 29,832 Rifle Clubs • '> 9 '° The whole of the General Training Section has been posted to the. Territorial Force These figures do not lncludo any of the men in the reinforcement training camps. ■-