MINISTER'S MEMORANDUM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17859, 3 August 1918, Page 10

MINISTER'S MEMORANDUM.

The following memorandum on the report, has been issued by Sir James Allen,' Minister of Defence:— 1. The report of the Commission " that in all essentials the Administration has succeeded" will. I am sure, bo received with satisfaction throughout New Zealand. 2. Tho Government appreciates very much the suggestions and recommendations set out in the .report. These will he given every consideration, and where not'already in operation will be .adopted, if found economical and applicable in principle. 3. (a) The suggestion to abolish the office of the Adjutant-General and appoint, an officer in charge of administration would, not do away with the duties or work of the AdjutantGeneral's branch. (b) To transfer certain of the Ad-jutant-General's duties to the General Staff would be in conflict with agreements which have been come to at various Imperial Conferences and which aim at securing uniformity throughout the Empire in regard to methods and equipment. 4. In regard to nomenclature, the designations are in accordance with the Imperial arrangements to standardise all matters naval and military. Imperial Army Orders for April, 1918, indicate this. 5. Tile questions dealt with in paragraphs 3 and 4 will, however, be placed before the Imperial Army Council for advice. 6. In regard to tho battalion system, early experience led to the adoption of tho present reinforcement system as the, best suited to meet local conditions of recruiting, administration, etc. Moreover, it! is doomed to bo the most economical under the many varying conditions to which our reinforcements are subject. This matter is, however, being further considered, and those who advocated the battalion system will be invited to compare details of their contention with details of tho present system, which has placed the New Zealand forces abroad in the proud position they occupy to-day. 7. A .conference: of district commanders and other officers will meet without delay to consider how the suggestions in the report can be applied to secure greater efficiency and economy.