THE MILITARY STAFF

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 117, 21 May 1925, Page 9

THE MILITARY STAFF

SCHEME FOR FILLING VACANCIES

Proposals have been approved by Cabinet for maintaining the number of officers of the permanent forces at the level required for the administration and training of the forces. No appointments of officers have been made since 1920, and in consequence the establishment has become reduced to six below the proper level. .

Four commissions are to be offered forthwith to Duntroou cadets who were retrenched in 1921, and two other commissions have been reserved for warrant %?T S °IJ. ha New ze"]and Permanent btaff and Royal New Zealand Artillery to be awarded to those who passed highest in order of merit at the recent exam, ination for first commissions. Futuro requirements of officers to replace normal wastage due to officers retiring on reaching the age limit will be met by sending New Zealand boys to England to train at the military colleges of Sandhurst (for cavalry and infantry), Woolwich (for artillery and engineers), or Cranwell (for Air Force). Tho first batch of cadets to leave for England in tnis_ connection will be three in 1926. Unforeseen vacancies will be filled either by granting commissions to warrant officers of the permanent forces who qualify by examination or by taking additional cadets.

Ihe decision to send New Zealand boys to England in future instead of to Australia is made partly for financial reasons, the courses "in England beinoess costly than in Australia, and part°ly because it is intended to attach each cadet to a British regiment for six months after he completes his college course. This attachment is considered an important part of the young officers' training.