DEFENCE

Evening Star, Issue 14413, 8 July 1910, Page 4

DEFENCE

[From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, July 8,

'■ The Defence report was tabled to-day. It states that the reorganisation scheme of tho coast defence and mobile field force was ready lor issue in March, _ but was held over'for Lord Kitchener’s criticism. On the 28th February the total New Zealand Defence Force was 20,428, being an increase of 1,885 on the previous year. There are 201 officers on the militia list.

Five thousand three hundred and eightynine volunteers and 855 defence cadets look part in the Easter manteuvros. It is intended to increase the ammunition grant and concessions to rifle clubs; also in view of tho general training to cancel tho drill parades now required for riilc. clubs.

Tho report says tho training and education of the artillery and engineer branches is quite satisfactory. The reports from 0.0.s also show lint there were more infantry in musketry practice. During the year 263 officers sat for examination, of whom 58 failed or partially failed. This is a higher percentage of failures than for four years past. During the year 542 officers were gran#:d appointments, 189 resigned, 9 commissions were cancelled, and 237 promotions were made. Tiio sum expended on defence was £190,547. Tho report deals in detail with additions to arras, ammunition, etc. Over 2-j----mUlion rounds of .503 ammunition was expended. it was supplied by the Colonial Ammunition Company, with whom a new contract was made on a satisfactory basis for a further supply, and for exceptional extra supplies should the occasion arise.