MILITARY FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1947 Session I, H-19

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1947 N BW ZEALAND

MILITARY FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF

Prevented to both Hawses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

REPORT The Hon the Minister of Defence, Wellington, 20th June, 1947. SIRI have the honour to submit the following report on the New Zealand Military Forces for the period Ist June, 1946, to 31st May, 1947. General Remarks The year covered by this report has been devoted mainly to the completion of the process of demobilization, to planning for the future, and to the commencement of the reorganization of the Military Forces for peacetime requirements. A major commitment has been the enlistment, training, and despatch of replacement personnel for 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). The first relief, approximately 4,200 strong, left for Japan early in the period under review. Arrangements are now well in hand for the despatch of a further volunteer relief Force to replace those now serving. The new Force will be reduced in size to a strength of 2,400 all ranks, which will include approximately 400 volunteers for a further period of service from the present Force. This reduction in strength will necessitate the disbandment of one battalion and a field battery and a scaling down of other units. Commands and Staff With the retirement of the Director-General of Medical Services, MajorGeneral Sir Fred Bowerbank, K.B.E, E.D., F.R.C.P. (Edin.), F.R.A.P.C., K.H.P., the appointment again. became part-time, and Brigadier W. 11. B. Bull, 0.8. E., was appointed from 31st March, 1947. Colonel (temp. Brigadier) K. L. Stewart, C.8., C.8.E., D.5.0., was appointed Adjutant-General and Second Military Member of the Army Board, vice Colonel (temp. Brigadier) A. E, Conway, C.8., 0.8. E., retired, from Ist September, 1946.

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Lieiit.-Colonel (temp. Brigadier.) F. L. Hunt, 0.8. E., was appointed Quartermaster-General and Third Military Member of the Army Board, vice Colonel (temp. Brigadier) G. B. Parkinson, C.8.E., P. 5.0., posted to London, from 27th September, 1946. Colonel (temp. Brigadier) W. G. Gentry, D.5.0., 0.8. E., was appointed Deputy Chief of the General Staff, vice Lieut.-Colonel (temp. Brigadier) L. G. Goss, C.8., retired, from 15th July, 1916. Lieut-Colonel (temp. Colonel) G. Ditlmer, C.8.E., D.5.0., M.C., was appointed Officer Commanding, Central Military District, vice Colonel (temp. Brigadier) L. Potter, D.5.0., posted to Japan,' from 7th August, 1946. Colonel (temp. Brigadier) P. S. Park, C.8.E., was appointed Officer Commanding Northern Military District, vice Colonel (temp. Brigadier) A. B. "Williams, D.5.0., retired,' from Ist May, 1947. The appointment of Judge Advocate-General to the New Zealand Military Forces fell vacant on the death of Colonel 0. H. Weston, D.5.0., Y.D., K.C., N.Z. Army Legal Department, and Lieut.-Colonel (temp. Colonel) C. A. L. Treadwell, 0.8. E., has now been appointed. Overseas Appointments Colonel (temp. Brigadier) L. Potter, D.5.0., was appointed Commander, Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (Japan), viae Colonel (temp. Brigadier) K. L. Stewart, C.8., 0.8. E., D.5.0., posted to Now Zealand, from 6th July, 1946. Colonel (temp. Brigadier) G. B. Parkinson, C.8.E., D.5.0., was appointed New Zealand Military Liaison Officer in London, vice Colonel (temp. Brigadier) R, S. Park, C.8.E., posted to New Zealand, from sth December, 1946. Lieut.-Colonel (local Colonel) R. C. Queree, C.8.E., D.5.0., has continued a senior appointment on the instructional staff of the Staff College, Camberley, England, Major (temp. Colonel) H. E. Gilbert, D.5.0., 0.8. E., was appointed New Zealand representative on the Joint Chiefs of Staff Organization in Australia and New Zealand Military Liaison Officer in Melbourne, vice Colonel (temp. Brigadier) W. G. Gentry D.5.0., 0.8. E., posted to New Zealand, from 9th July, 1946. Overseas Visits: Chief of the General Staff During August, 1946, and again in May of this year, I attended senior officers' conferences in the United Kingdom called by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Field Marshal Lord Montgomery. On both occasions there was a valuable exchange of views between senior officers from all parts of the British Commonwealth and opportunity was taken to discuss operational problems in the light of the tactical and strategical policies judged appropriate to the future. Before proceeding to England for the second of these conferences I attended the Hon. the Minister of Defence on his visit to Japan. In a period of three weeks every unit in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (Japan) was visited, and discussions relative to the Force were held with Lieut.-General H. 0. 11. Robertson, C.8.E., D.5.0., Commander-in-Chief of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. A brief visit was made to Tokyo for discussions with General MaeArthur, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, and to observe the work of the British Commonwealth Subarea, Tokyo, commanded bv a New Zealand officer, Lieut.-Oblonel (temp. Colonel) D. T, Maxwell, 0.8. E.

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Military Education Board Lieut-Colonel (Brevet Colonel) L. W. Andrew, V.C., D.5.0., lias attended the Imperial Defence College since 1947. Two officers of the Regular Forces are undergoing instruction at the Staff College, Oamberley, England. Reorganization of New Zealand Military Forges In war there is no distinction between Regular and non-Regular soldiers. With the object of removing such distinctions in peace, there has been a general reorganization of the various corps of the New Zealand Military Forces. The following Regular Force corps have been disbanded:— The N.Z. Staff Corps. The N.Z. Permanent Staff. The N.Z. Permanent Army Service Corps. The following corps will in future comprise the New Zealand Military Forces:— Royal New Zealand Artillery. N.Z. Armoured Corps. N.Z. Engineers. N.Z. Corps of Signals. N.Z. Infantry Corps. N.Z. Army Service Corps. N.Z. Army Medical Corps. N.Z. Army Ordnance Corps. N.Z. Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. N.Z. Army Dental Corps. N.Z. Chaplains Department. N.Z. Army Pay Corps, N.Z. Army Legal Department. N.Z. Army Nursing Service. N.Z. 'Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. N.Z. Cadet Corps. The Generals' List and the Colonels' List. The Reserve. In general, each of these corps will include both Regular and non-Regular personnel. In particular, they will embody the following non-Regular corps:— New Zealand Artillery. New Zealand Army Service Corps. New Zealand Ordnance Corps. New Zealand Medical Corps. The Corps of Infantry, mentioned above, has not previously existed in Xew Zealand. Experience in the recent war indicated the desirability of grouping all infantry units into one corps, as has long been the case in most other arms of the Service. This has now been done; and within the Corps of Infantry the New Zealand Regiment, has been formed, containing Regular personnel only. New Intake. —Some reorganization and reinforcement of the Regular Force had become imperative by the end of 1916 as a result of the depletions of the war years and the loss of a balanced ratio between officers and other ranks. Accordingly the enlistment of other-rank instructors and of officers from the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, the Interim Army, and Temporary Staff was authorized by the Government After wide publicity had been given,

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a number of courses were conducted, at Army School of Instruction, Trentham, for selection purposes. As a result, 59 officers for substantive commissions and 41 officers for quartermaster commissions were accepted into the Regular Forces. Of these, 57 were former Regular other ranks and the remainder from 2 N.Z.E.F. In addition, 91 N.C.O.S and men were enlisted for instructional and administrative duties after undergoing basic training. Most of these officers and other ranks have been employed in the training of replacements for 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). Arrangements are well in hand for the continuance of their military education. Ages for Retirement.' —New ages for retirement have been introduced in fhe Regular Forces, for the following reasons: — (a) It is important that all Regular officers and men should be fit and qualified for active service in their peacetime rank or one rank higher. (b) Beyond the age of forty-five to forty-seven a man cannot compete with the rigours and hardships of regimental service in war. (c) The retention of large numbers of elderly officers and N.C.O.s in comparatively junior ranks tends to lower the general efficiency of the Force. ((/) Lower retiring-ages will automatically result in an increase in the reserve of ex-regular personnel available for recall in the event of mobilization. The new ages for retirement are:— Other ranks . . .. Forty-five years. Lieutenants . . . . j Captains . . . . . . [ Forty-seven years. Majors .. .. .. j Lieut.-Colonels . . . . Fifty years. Colonels and Brigadiers . . Fifty-five years. Major-General .. .. On completion of period of appointment. These new retiring-ages conform with those already in operation in other Armies of the British Commonwealth. liegradmg of Officers. —In December, 1946, a special committee was convened to review the war records of all Regular officers and to make recommendations for regradings to the Hon. the Minister of Defence. The committee consisted of the Military Members of the Army Board, together with former divisional and brigade commanders of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. As a result, a revised, gradation list for the Regular Force was issued. A similar committee met early in March, 1947, fo determine suitable tradings for officers who were being taken into the Regular Force after the qualifying course at Trentham. The Interim Army and Temporary Staff Both the Interim Army and the Temporary Staff have continued to give valuable service, in spite of decreasing numbers. Releases have been made to civil occupations, and considerable numbers of officers and men have been transferred to the Regular Force. On the Ist May, 1947, strength was 152 .officers and 1,997 other ranks.

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2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) In accordance with the Government's decision to relieve the men at present serving with the 2 N.Z.E.F. in Japan, who left New Zealand between May and July, 1946, a second relief Force is at present under training at Papakura and Trentham Camps. The strength of this Force on 23rd May, 1947, was 1,756, and enlistments are continuing. Owing to the limited time available, only basic training and some specialized training has been possible, and this is nearing completion. Further training will be given after the arrival of the relief Force in Japan late in July. Twelve other ranks are at present undergoing training in the Japanese language in Australia, with a view to subsequent employment as interpreters in Japan. Arrangements for the shipping of drafts have been finalized, and the first draft for return to New Zealand is expected to leave Japan early in June. The second and final draft is expected to leave at the end of July. During the period under review, 68 applications have been approved on compassionate grounds for the return of Army personnel from Japan, 73 have been declined, and 3 are pending. Army Establishments The strengths of Army establishments have been constantly under review and staffs have been reduced to the minimum commensurate with administrative efficiency and the handling of relief Forces for 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). Army strength has been reduced from 14,933 all ranks as at 30th April, 1946, to the following as at 23rd May, 1947 : Officers. Other Ranks. In New Zealand . . . . . . 421 4,156 In United Kingdom ■'.'. . . 18 42 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) . . . . . . 290 3,781 Other locations . . . . 30 10 759 7,989 The figures for New Zealand include 38 officers and 1,718 other ranks of the relief Force for 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) in camp on 23rd May, 1947. Pay New scales of pay and allowances for the Army were authorized by the Government during the period under review. In conjunction with the introduction of these rates, the Army has adopted the British " star " system, modified to suit New Zealand conditions, for pay of other ranks. The basis of this system is that in the ranks of corporal and below there is a common scale of pay for tradesmen and non-tradesmen alike, the progression of both classes being governed by the award of " stars " — i.e., one star, two stars, or three stars. It is now possible in these ranks for the soldier with military skill alone, if it amounts to sufficiently high qualification of a specialist character, to receive the same rate of pay as the Army tradesman with qualifications of equivalent value. in the ranks of sergeant and above two rates are provided, one for the highest skilled class of tradesmen and the other a common rate for all other classes of tradesmen and non-tradesmen alike.

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Honours and Awards Up to 31st May, .1947, His Majesty the King has approved the undermentioned honours and awards to members of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force for gallant and distinguished service in the field: — Victoria Cross . . 5 A.R.R.C. . . . . 19 Bar to Cross . . 1 M.C. . . 253 K.C.B. . . . . 1 Bar to M.C. . . 13 K.B.E. ' .. .. 1 D.C.M. .. .. 108 C.B. .. . . 6 Bar to D.C.M. .. 1 C.B.E. .. .. '2B MM. .. .. 591 D.S.O. .. .. 11l Bar to MM. .. 4 Bar to D.S.O. .. 19 George Medal .. 1 0.8. E. .. .. 85 B.E.M. .. .. 75 M.B.E. .. . . 150 Mentioned in R.R.C. . . . . 8 Despatches 2,806 Prom the commencement of the recent war up to 31st May, 1947, His Majesty the King approved the following New Year and birthday honours to members of the N.Z. Military Forces in New Zealand: — K.C.B. .. ..1 0.8. E. .. ..33 K.B.E. . . 2 M.B.E. . . . . 67 C.M.G. .. 1 R.R.C. .. ..1 C.B. .. .. 5 A.R.R.C. .. ..7 C.B.E. .. ..6 B.E.M. .. ..44 Foreign Awards Foreign decorations have been awarded to members of the N.Z. Military Forces by Allied Nations as follows: U.S.A. .. .. 52 | U.S.S.R. .. 1 .Greece . . 67 I Netherlands . . 1 Discipline The reviewing of all courts-martial proceedings and sentences has been continued. These have mainly originated from Jayforce. Every effort has been made to standardize sentences of imprisonment and to ensure that full and just remissions are made to prisoners who, by reason of good conduct, have earned a remission. AVar Crimes Statements made on repatriation by all New Zealand nationals (Navy, Army, Air Force, and civilian personnel) who had been prisoners of the Japanese were examined, and where there was evidence of gross ill-treatment or atrocities having been either witnessed or experienced, sworn statements were obtained for the use of the Far East War Crimes Tribunal. In all, sworn statements or affidavits concerning Japanese war crimes were obtained from 112 New Zealanders during the year, but to date the results of the trials in which these were to be used are not to hand. Further sworn statements and affidavits were also obtained during the year for the prosecution of war crimes in the European theatre, and in some cases these have now been finalized. Unfortunately, in a number of cases it has been found impossible to apprehend the accused persons, but in at least

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twelve eases involving New Zealand soldiers the Hermans or Italians responsible have been tried, found guilty, and, punished, the sentences varying from the death penalty to various lengthy terms of imprisonment. A number of other cases are still under action. New Zealand Cadet Corps During the period under review there were more than 23,000 cadets undergoing Army or A.T.C. training in secondary schools. Such training is arranged by the schools themselves, Army participation being limited to the provision, as required, of small instructional staffs and of uniforms, arms, ammunition, and equipment. Annual courses for school officers, N. 0.0.5, and prospective X.C.O.s were held throughout the country in January. The " Governor-General's Trophy," which is awarded annually to the Cadet rifle-shooting team attaining the highest figure of merit in the Imperial Challenge Shield, was won this year by Southland Boys' High School with an average score of 96-68 per cent. Royal Military College oe Australia Eight New Zealand Cadets were selected for entry to the Royal Military College of Australia in 1947. There are at present 21 New Zealand Cadets at the college, and 1 officer of the New Zealand Regiment is serving on the staff. Army School oe Instruction Activities in the Army School of Instruction, Trentham, were limited to the conduct of basic training for Regular Force recruits, qualifying courses for prospective Regular officers, and specialist training of signallers and electrical and mechanical engineers for 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). A conversion course for ex-officers of the Royal Navy and R.N.Z.A.F. applying for commissions in 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) was also held. Artillery During the year the balance of major items of equipment required for coast defences became available, and all installations and fortress communications are now nearing completion. Proof firing of 9-2 in. guns at Auckland and Wellington was carried out satisfactorily. Thirty-two officers and other ranks of the Royal New Zealand Artillery are now engaged in a three months' course of instruction in anti-aircraft and coast artillery. The course includes field-firing with 40 mm. and 3-7 in. anti-aircraft guns. Signals With the release of all Army signals personnel at 30th September, 1946, it was necessary to close down the Wellington terminal of the New ZealandMelbourne Army wireless link. As a temporary measure, all Army signal traffic is being handled by the R.N.Z.A.F. overseas link at Ohakea. Army Educational and Welfare Service Army educational services were maintained throughout the year among Army personnel in Japan and New Zealand. N.Z.E.R.S., Japan, is a, well-equipped education unit and provides a wide range of both formal and informal activities. At the end of March, 1947, the number of students on the formal education roll was 1,617, or more than onethird of the Force. Professors I. A. Gordon and I. G. Sutherland made a, six weeks' lecture tour of the 8.C.0.F. area under the auspices of A,E,W,S,

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There lias been an increase in informal activity, particularly with regard to hobbies and craft-work. Much material has been sent for this purpose. Jmjfarcc Times is printed weekly in New Zealand and 2,000 copies flown to Japan. At the end of 1946 the format was changed and the paper more than doubled in size. A lending library maintained service to 36 Navy, Army, and Air Force units in the North Island,. The University section has a library of 10,000 text-books. During the year, 1,377 rehabilitation students were supplied witli book&. -Regular entertainment was provided for ex-service patients in. hospitals in New Zealand, and a concert party organized by the National Broadcasting Service played in Japan under the direction of the Australian Army Amenities Service. Medical Services The general health of troops has been good, but minor outbreaks of parotites, chicken-pox, and upper respiratory infections have occurred. The average sick rate per thousand men per day was 254, and hospital admission rate 0-82. The total deaths from all causes was 10, of which 8 were due to accidents, and the remainder to sickness. On 31st May, 1047, 22 medical officers were serving full-time in the Army, of whom 21 were in Japan, and a further 6 were serving part-time in New Zealand. There were 53 Army nursing sisters, of whom 35 were in Japan and 18 in New Zealand. On Ist April, 1047, all members of the W.A.A.C. Medical Division were transferred to the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. On this date 36 V.A.D.s were serving in Japan and 14 in New Zealand. The general reduction in numbers of mobilized troops in New Zealand has made possible the discharge of all full-time medical officers except the A.D.M.S. at Army Headquarters, The health of troops in camps is now maintained by periodical visits of part-time medical officers. The hygiene and sanitation of occupied camps remains good. As from Ist April, 1047, the responsibility for residual medical stores was resumed by the Chief Ordnance Officer. During the year, provision of optician services has been entirely carried out by approved civilian opticians, with satisfactory results. Three thousand five hundred full visual investigations have been carried out, and 2,200 pairs of service-pattern spectacles have been provided. Dental Services On 31st May, 1047, there were 12 dental officers serving in the Army, of whom 5 were in Japan. As the dental condition of recruits lias not improved in comparison with earlier intakes, the reduction in the strength of the Dental Corps (from 42 officers in 1945-46) has made it impossible to deal with all the treatments required. Nevertheless-, due to the excellent work of the personnel available, all emergency treatments have been effected, and a high proportion of serving personnel, in, both Japan-and New Zealand have been given routine examinations and treatment,

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The following summary shows the dental treatments performed for Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel, the corresponding figures for the preceding twelve months being given in parentheses:— Surgical operations—■ Fillings .. .. 33,089 (112,376) Teeth extracted . . . . 10,745 (19,683) Prophylactic treatments . . 4,382 (22,492) Artificial dentures — Full dentures .." .. 1,403 (3,893) Partial dentures . . . . 862 (2,839) Dentures remodelled . . 925 (4,674) Dentures repaired . . 1,958 (8,687) Women's Services During the period under review the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps was reduced from 797 all ranks to a strength of 267 all ranks. The latter figure includes 40 W.A.A.C 1 . personnel now in training in New Zealand for welfare duties with 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). On Ist April, 1947, 50 members of the Medical Division were transferred to the Army Nursing Service as V.A.D.s. Arms, Ammunition, and Equipment Apart from a small amount of modern equipment, requisitions placed overseas related to maintenance stores. The estimated value of these requisitions amounted to (N.Z.) £98,802, of which (N.Z.) £96,233 was placed in the United Kingdom and (N.Z.)£2,569 in Australia, These figures included (N.Z.)£60,600 in respect of our forecast of requirements to be obtained from the United. Kingdom for the year 1947-48. Actual receipts from overseas during the year were as under: — £(N.Z.). From United Kingdom . . . . . . . . 28,694 From Australia . . . . . . . . 13,461 Total receipts .. .. .. .. £42,155 Negotiations are at present proceeding with a view to repossessing the balance of equipment held in New Zealand as War Office reserve on behalf of the British Grovernment. Ordnance Services All Ordnance establishments have again been fully occupied in consolidating and maintaining stocks and in the disposal of substantial surplus holdings through War Assets Realization Board. The total value of such disposals amounted to £790,000, with goods to the value of £68,000 going to UNRRA, CORSO, and overseas relief, and other overseas markets directly absorbing £190,000. The remaining sum of £532,000 was divided equally between goods sold in New Zealand and those transferred to the Defence Services Provision Office for overseas disposal.

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Considerable shipments of clothing, necessaries, and barrack stores to 8.C.0.F. in Japan were made during the year. No less than 536,355 receipt transactions were recorded for the year, with issue transactions totalling 665,953. At all depots serious shortages of personnel have prevented preservation work on much valuable equipment and there is no doubt that the deterioration as a result will be substantial, particularly where equipment is stored in the open. The Inspecting Ordnance Officers Group has been employed on the inspection and repair of ammunition and explosive stores and the disposal of unserviceable and unsafe stores, including the disposal of chemical-warfare weapons by dumping at sea. The latter project has been completed, but other activities are at present hampered by shortages of staff. Defence Services Provision Office A total of 43,883 packages containing stores to the value of £894,190 were shipped overseas during the year. These stores consisted of items manufactured locally against orders placed by the Eastern Group Supply Mission and articles accepted by War Office from surplus holdings of the Ordnance Services in New Zealand. Disposal of surplus stores valued at £3,750,000 held on behalf of His Majesty's Government in United Kingdom is now being negotiated through the "War Assets Realization Board. A reduction from 84,000 to 59,600 square feet has been effected in the storage space utilized by this branch. New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers The formation of N.Z.E.M.E. as a corps on Ist September, 1946, amalgamated mechanical transport, Ordnance, and armourers' workshops throughout New Zealand and co-ordinated electrical and mechanical engineering personnel into a single corps, in keeping with practice elsewhere in the British 0 omm on we alt h. The amalgamation was achieved smoothly and has resulted in unified control of workshop services, thus making the most efficient use of the limited technical man-power available. The inspection, repair, and maintenance of all wheeled and tracked vehicles, artillery equipments, small-arms, instruments, and, radar have been performed most creditably in face of a serious shortage of skilled personnel due to releases to civil occupations. A total of 243 vehicles were shipped to Japan, and a further 166 were prepared for shipment, but their despatch is now uncertain. During the year, vehicles declared surplus for disposal totalled 2,557, including 1,800 motor-cycles and 525 universal carriers. Fortifications and Works During the past year, 36 buildings have been converted to 40 houses or flats for married Army personnel at a cost of £7,060 for additional materials, this work being carried out by Constructional Companies, New Zealand Engineers. The number of camps has been reduced to those estimated to be required for the future.

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Modern office accommodation has been completed at Christ church and Palmerston North, and, where the material and labour situation has permitted, major repairs have been carried out on drill-halls. The major disposals of buildings, building-materials, and builder's hardware to the War Assets Realization Board have practically ceased. Supplies and Transport Services The rations issued to troops in New Zealand for the year totalled 1,166,170, the average cost being 22-963 d. per daily ration, an increase of l-418d. per ration on last year's cost. The rations issued to Polish refugees at Pahiatua totalled 258,640, at a cost of £22,200 2s. Bd.. Food-supplies shipped overseas to Fiji totalled £2,513 155., and to British Commonwealth Occupation Forces in Japan, £40,401 lis. 3d. Fertilizers and grass and garden seeds to a value of £1,791 Is. Bd. were shipped to 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). The consumption of petrol in New Zealand for the year was 466,999 gallons, a reduction of 538,062 gallons on the previous year. Other fuel consumed in camps was as shown below, the figures in parentheses being those for the previous year:— Tons. Coal . . . . . . . . 3,823 (10,426) Coke . . .. . . . . 1,235 (2,266) Wood 2,335 (3,036) Gallons. Fuel oil .. .. .. 98,742 (285,498) Ac COMMODATION During the year, progress in the vacation of camps and of premises rented for war purposes has continued and is now practically complete. As far as can be foreseen, almost all buildings, including camps, now retained by the Army will be required, in the future. During the year, 48 tenancies with a total annual rental of £14,274 were vacated. In these tenancies, 52,953 square feet of storage space in rented premises was included, most of it being in the Wellington metropolitan area. At present only 2 privately leased stores are held in Wellington, and plans for their release are well advanced. With, the reduction in size of Army N Headquarters 19,360 square feet of Government-owned office space in Wellington has been released and is now occupied by other Government Departments. Movements Movement Control throughout New Zealand conducted 57 embarkations totalling 2,735 personnel and 95 disembarkations totalling 4,877 personnel. Army personnel moved by air to and from destinations outside New Zealand totalled: outward, 78; inward, 247. New Zealand Railways provided 133 special troop trains carrying 52,921 military personnel. Total Army personnel booked through Railway Transport Officers on ordinary trains amounted to 127,734.

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Dependants of New Zealand Service personnel disembarked in New Zealand totalled: wives, 154; fiancees, 288; children, 45. In addition, Movement Control arranged transportation for Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Navy dependants arriving in New Zealand. Base Records The staff of Base Records office on 31st March, 1947, was approximately half that employed on the same date in the previous year, and comprised 10 permanent and 315 temporary officers. The personal files of all ballotees are in process of transfer from Areas to Base Records, and 25,000 personal files of Interim Army, Temporary Staff, and W.A.A.C. personnel from Army Headquarters, The total number to be held by Base Records will exceed 465,000. During the year a start was made on issuing final discharge certificates to all personnel who have had Army service. Up to 31st March, 1947, about 40,000 certificates were prepared, and issues are continuing at the rate of 1,500 per week. Pay Accounts During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1947, 50,218 war service gratuity applications were lodged, bringing the total received up to 219,767. In the same period, £16,068,805 was lodged to war service gratuity Post Office accounts, bringing the total to £19,463,067. Up to 31st March, 1947, 6,135 applications for payment in lieu of leave prior to 19th April, 1944, were received, and during the year 23,548 pay accounts of returned soldiers were finalized. To widows or mothers of deceased servicemen, 1,873 free rail passes, covering twenty-eight days each, were issued. Army Expenditure The expenditure brought to charge under War Expenses Account—Army, during the financial year 1946-47 was £10,546,173, while credits-in-reduction totalling £7,458,653, making the net expenditure of £3,087,520 for the year. This shows a marked reduction upon the net expenditure of £24,017,524 for the previous year. In addition, the sum of £2,096,075 was received through disposal of surplus assets by Army and £722,784 by "War Assets Realization Board on account of Army, a total of £2,818,859. The expenditure under Consolidated Fund vote " Army " was £2,840,749, with departmental receipts amounting to £2,525, a net expenditure of £2,838,224. N. W. McD. "Weir, Major-General, Chief of the General Staff. Approximate Cost of Paper, - Preparation, not given ; printing (C4B copies), £2O.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1947. Price 6d,]

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