THE DEFENCE REPORT.

Evening Star, Issue 12899, 23 August 1906, Page 8

THE DEFENCE REPORT.

[FnoM Otn Kitortek.] The annual, report oh the Defence Forces' by the officer commanding (General Babington) wasjprescnted to the Legislative Council to-day by. the Minister of Defence (the Hon. A. Pitt). Atthe outset it is stated that the revision, of the fixed defences is still under consideration, but it is expected a conclu-: sion will shortly be arrived at, and the work can then be proceeded with. Two defended ports are the most that should bo required in New Zealand, and this colony cannot maintain more in an efficient state. The existing forts havo been kept in good order, and many improvements in connection with their working have been effected. ■—Tardy Procedure.—

"The proposals for the organisation of the Permanent Force, which Preferred to in my report of last year," says the Commandant, " are still under consideration. Similarly my proposals for the reorganisation of the Volunteer Force liave not yot been seriously considered. These latter recommendations are, in brief, to the effect that a smaller and better trained force should be substituted for the present unwieldy and expensive machine. I believe that political reasons arc looked upon as a bar to the carrying out of the main portion of tho scheme, but I cannot think that the country would raise any serious objection to a more efficient and less expensive fore ." The difficulty of obtaining suitable officers in New Zealand is increasing, owing to there being no leisured class, and recruiting, too, is becoming a much more difficult matter. The physique of some of the town corps is stated to be very poor. Gymnasia should be established to improve "matters in this respect. Field firing for the first time in New Zealand was carried out on an extended scale last Easter, and the results on the whole were satisfactory. While much remained to be done in educating the public to a sense of their requirements as regards defence, it was gratifying that much was done by certain individuals in the encouragement of volunteering. —Poor Pay.—■ The Commandant affirms that the pay of the staff and other officers must be considered. At present there is no system. It is entirely at the discretion of the Minister of Defence what remuneration an officer shall receive, and "the pay is such that the wonder is anyone is found to accept appointments." Then, says General Babington, tho Defence Department suouUj be brought under a pension scheme similar to that obtaining in the Police and Railway Departments. "It reflects but little credit on the appreciation or generosity of a country to turn its servants adrift after they have faithfully performed their duties, without any provision for themselves or their families." —Recommendations.— The suggestion made by tho Imperial authorities for an interchange of officers is commended. Colonial officers could thus receive training with the Imperial troops, which would fit them for higher commands in this country. The terms for earning capitation are not satisfactory. Pavmcnt for daylight parades should bo made, and the pay formerly granted to instructors of tho Permanent Force should be restored to them. In the Commandant's opinion every English-speaking boy should he trained as a cadet, and should continue in an adult corps until fit to take his place in the ranks should occasion demand. —The Permanent Force.— Tho Permanent Force is stated to be composed of a highly-educated, well-trained body of men. The efficiency of the force, however, is much impaired, in that com parativcly a largo body of men take their discharges to serve in the police force, the tramway service, etc.. whore their prospects arc improved. The u.scipline of the force has improved, but so long as so many men are allowed to marry and no married quarters exist, discipline can never bo entirely satisfactory. The clauses of the Defence Act relating to discipline require amendment. —Strength of the Volunteer Force.— Inclusive of cadets and rifle clubs, on July 1, 1906, the strength was 19.276, which (taking into account tho corps noted as in course of disbandmentl shows an increase in the total strength on July 1. 1905. * ' —Field Artillery.— Reference is made to the work done by the field artillery during the year. Directors and gun arcs have now been supplied to tho New Zealand batteries, but the problem remains how under present conditions their use can be taught in drill sheds. —Other Branches of tho Service.— In dealing with other branches of the service the Commandant states that the garrison artillery volunteers throughout the colony are decidedly improving, the field engineering companies at various centres are very fairly efficient, and a similar reference is made to the mounted rifles. A very valuable addition to the Defence forces might be made by raising more Maori corps. A scheme with this object in view was submitted in 1903, but no action was taken. The training of infantrv is very much impeded by their being able to devoto so little time to outdoor work. In regard to medical corps it is stated that on the whole the officers are taking more inerest in their work. No transport or supDly corps exists. The Commandant has repeatedly applied to be allowed to establish the nucleus of such a corps. Similarly no veterinary corps exists except on paper. —Cadets and Rifle Clubs.— There are fifty-nine cadet corps under the department. Tl>o corps attached to the schools are in a very satisfactory state, but as regards the efficiency of those outside schools some corps aro not in a very satisfactory state, mainly owing to want of funds. He recommends an increase of fifty rounds of ammunition per cadet. The cadet movement should be fostered in every possible way. At present the low rate of capitation is keeping it back. The equipment is also said to be deficient, and this is discouraging to cadets. There aro 117 rifle clubs in the colony. It is recommended that the grant of ammunition to clubs would be increased. After referring to the staff and organisation, the Commandant goes on to say that no school of instruction exists, the officer lately in charge of it having left the colony. He has recommended that tho services of two staff college officers be applied for from England to carry out the duties. There are sufficient guns, well mounted, for 6uch defences of ports in New Zealand as the country can afford to maintain, and a satisfactory reserve of rifles lias been established. Riflo ranges and drill hails continue to be satisfactory. —A Warning Note.— . . In conclusion, Major-general Babington says : "I have endeavored since my arriyal in New Zealand to point out what coneider is required to render tho forces of the colony efficient. It dees not appear to me, however, that the colony takes the question of Defence seriously, or gives due attention to a subject that "is so important, and one that may at very short notice become of vital interest to her. It will be well for New Zealand if by any means she can be persuaded, before it is too Late, to look seriously upon and also to thoroughly appreciate her defence forces, and to listen more attentively than she has yet done to the advice of those whose duty it is to advise it as to the measures necessary to render such process really efficient."