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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1948 Session I, H-19

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1948 NEW ZEALAND

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

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

REPORT The Hon. the Minister of Defence. Sir, — Wellington, 21st June, 1948. I have the honour to submit the following report on the New Zealand Military Forces for the period Ist June, 1947, to 31st May, 1948. General Remarks The year covered by this report has been devoted mainly to the preparation of the Military Forces for peacetime requirements. To this end a progressive programme of training has been undertaken for the Regular Force, and steps have been taken to put peacetime administration, on a sound and up-to-date footing. The winding-up of certain wartime administrative matters, together with the disposal of surplus stores and accommodation, have been virtually completed. Changes in Senior Appointments Major changes in senior appointments in the New Zealand Regular Force during the period under review are Brigadier W. G. Gentry, D.5.0., 0.8. E., relinquished the appointment of Deputy Chief of the General Staff, 20th November, 1947, and was replaced by Temporary Colonel J. I. Brooke. On the 23rd March, 1948, Temporary Colonel J. I. Brooke relinquished the appointment of Deputy Chief of the General Staff on being appointed Director of Cadets and Rifle Clubs, and was replaced by Temporary Colonel L. W. Thornton, 0.8. E.

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On 31st March, 1948, Brigadier E. T. Rowllings, C.8.E., relinquished the appointment of Officer Commanding, Southern Military District, on being posted to the Retired List, and was replaced by Brigadier C. E. Weir, C.8., C.8.E., D.S.O. Temporary Colonel G. Dittmer, C.8.E., D.5.0., M.C., relinquished the appointment of Officer Commanding, Central Military District, on being placed on the Retired List, and was replaced by Colonel L. W. Andrew, V.C., D.5.0., on Ist April, 1948. Temporary Brigadier F. L. Hunt, 0.8. E., relinquished the appointment of Q.M.G., Army Headquarters, and Third Military Member of the Army Board, on 30th April, 1948, and was replaced by Temporary Brigadier R. C. Queree, C.8.E., D.S.O. Temporary Colonel V. G. Jervis, 0.8. E., was appointed Acting-Adjutant-General and Acting Second Military Member of the Army Board as from Ist May, 1948. Temporary Colonel C. S. J. Duff, D.5.0., relinquished the appointment of Director of Army Equipment, Army Headquarters, on 3rd July, 194-7, and was appointed New Zealand Military Liaison Officer, Melbourne, on 26th July, 1947, vice Temporary Colonel H. E. Gilbert, D.5.0., 0.8. E. The Surveyor-General, Russell Gladstone Dick, Esq., was appointed Director of Military Mapping, Army Headquarters, with the honorary rank of Colonel, on 15th December, 1947. Royal Military College op Australia The number of Cadets at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Australia, is at present 17. During the year 8 Cadets graduated and have been posted to 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan), and 4 have been appointed to the College. Honours and Awards : British Since Ist June, 1947, His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to be granted to N.Z. Regular Force personnel:— (a) Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) — Brigadier L. Potter, D.S.O. (b) Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (0.8. E.) — Lieutenant-Colonel Y. G. Jervis, Supernumerary List. Lieutenant-Colonel W. S. McKinnon, R.N.Z.A. Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. Joyce, D.C.M., R.N.Z.A. (c) Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) —- Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Barry, N.Z. Regiment. Major and Quartermaster T. J. Cronin, N.Z. Regiment. Major A. J. Moore, N.Z. Regiment. Major J. A. Pountney, R.N.Z.A. Lieutenant and Quartermaster A. J. Baigent, R.N.Z.A. Lieutenant and Quartermaster J. E. Hobson, N.Z. Regiment. (d) The award of the British Empire Medal (Military Division) — W.O. I D. H. Cross, N.Z. Regiment. Overseas Courses op Instruction Nine officers and other ranks have been posted overseas for advanced training or to attend various schools and courses of instruction in the United Kingdom. Overseas Conperence On 4th May, 1948, Brigadier K. L. Stewart, C.8., C.8.E., D.5.0., left New Zealand to attend the Chief of the Imperial General Staff's annual conference in London, England, His anticipated time of return is the end of June,

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N.Z. Regular Force Enlistment of Officers On 31st March, 1948, the Temporary Staff and Interim Army organizations were disbanded. All Regular Force officers on the Supernumerary List —with the exception of a few who were retained owing to the exigencies of the Service —also ceased active duty on 31st March, 1948. In order to complete peace establishments and maintain efficiency, 65 officers have been enlisted in the Regular Force during the year ; of these 22 are for short-service engagements varying from a few months to five years. 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) During the period 21st May to 20th June, 1947, the assembly and organization of the Second Relief were completed. The numbers who sailed for Japan on 15th July, 1947, after embarkation leave of eight clear days, were as follows : Replacement personnel — Officers. Other Ranks. European .. .. .. .. .. 54 1,346 Maori .. .. .. .. .. 3 365 57 1,711 Returning after leave — European .. .. .. .. .. 8 6 Maori .. .. .. .. .. 2 10 6 Total embarked .. .. ..67 1,717 A supplementary draft consisting of 19 officers and 163 other ranks embarked at Auckland on 28th August, 1947. This draft was made up of 2 officers and 50 other ranks replacement personnel and 17 officers and 113 other ranks returning after leave in New Zealand. Personnel returned from Japan as under : Officers. Other Ranks. First draft disembarked sth - 6th July, 1947 . . .. 70 1,809 \ Second draft disembarked 27th August, 1947 .. .. 55 1,418 Rear party from Japan disembarked 30th September, 1947 30 227 Supplementary drafts returned to New Zealand during the period for discharge on medical grounds, for compassionate reasons, or on the completion of their tour of duty comprise the following total: 69 officers ; 81 other ranks. Arrangements have been completed for the return of 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) to New Zealand beginning in June. It is hoped to have this Force disembarked in New Zealand by 30th September, 1948. N.Z. Regular Force Recruitment Recruiting for the N.Z. Regular Force commenced in June, 1947, with a press release by v the Hon. Minister of Defence. On 3rd November, 1947, it was decided to form a Home Service Section of the N.Z. Regular Force. This Section would consist of other ranks not fit for active service on account of either age or medical fitness or both. In February, 1948, approval was obtained to begin the following enlistments in the N.Z. Regular Force : (i) Cadets : Youths between the ages of 16 years and 17 {| years for service as apprentices or instructors. (ii) Officers and Other Ranks: N.Z.A.N.S. and N.Z.W.A.C. (iii) Tradesmen : Specialist tradesmen up to 250 total from United Kingdom.

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4 In April, 1948, a recruiting drive for enlistment in the N.Z. Regular Force (including women's Services) was begun in 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). The following applications for enlistment have been received as at 30th April, 1948 : General Service Section, R.F. .. .. .. 506 Home Service Section, R.F. .. .. .. 920 N.Z.W.A.C. O.R.s, R.F. .. .. .. .. 149 Officers, R.F. .. .. .. .. 8 N.Z.A.N.S.— O.R.s, R.F. .. .. .. .. 3 Officers, R.F. .. .. .. .. 8 Cadets, R.F. .. .. .. .. .. 9 1,603 Of this figure, the following have been provisionally accepted for enlistment in the Regular Force as at 30th April, 1948 : General Service Section, R.F. .. .. .. 347 Home Service Section, R.F. .. .. .. 820 N.Z.W.A.C. — O.R.s, R.F. .. .. .. .. 75 Officers, R.F. ... .. .. .. 5 N.Z.A.N.S. — O.R.s, R.F. .. .. .. .. 3 Officers, R.F. .. .. .. .. 6 1,256 Army Establishments Peace establishments received Cabinet approval in February and became effective as from 31st March, 1948. The following is a summary of peace establishment strengths permissible as at 7th May, 1948 (i) Officers— Permanent. Increment. Major-General .. .. .. 1 Brigadier .. .. . . .. 7 Colonel .. .. .. .. 5 Lieutenant-Colonel . . . . 22 2 Major .. .. .. .. .. 36 1 Major/Captain .. .. .. .. 42 2 Captain .. .. .. .. 37 • 4 Captain/Lieutenant .. . . . . 183 17 Total, officers .. . .. 333 26 (ii) Other Ranks— Warrant officers and staff sergeants .. 383 101 Sergeants and corporals .. . . .. 706 231 Privates .. .. .. 1,300 656 Total, other ranks .. .. 2,389 988 (iii) All Ranks .. .. .. .. ..2,722 1,014

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The following is a summary of the disposition of New Zealand personnel as at 31st March, 1948 : New Zealand— Officers. Other Ranks. Total. Males .. .. .. .. ..374 1,905 2,279 N.Z.W.A.C. .. .. .. .. 8 166 174 N.Z.A.N.S. .. .. .. .. 3 3 6 385 2,074 2,459 United Kingdom .. .. .. 14 3 17 Pacific Area— Japan.. .. .. .. 199 2,050 2,249 Other locations .. . . .. 4 17 21 203 2,067 2,270 The above total includes females .. 19 68 87 Total personnel—Males .. .. .. .. ..572 3,907 4,479 Females .. .. .. .. 30 237 267 Grand total .. .. v . 602 4,144 4,746 Corps Titles His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve the addition of the prefix " Royal" to the following Corps of the N.Z. Military Forces : The Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps. The Royal New Zealand Engineers. The Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals. The Royal New Zealand Infantry Corps. The Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps. The Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps. The Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps. The Royal New Zealand Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The Royal New Zealand Army Dental Corps. The Royal New Zealand Chaplains' Department. Army School of Instruction A continuous series of courses has been held for the Regular Force, the most notable of which were the courses for applicants for commissions, recruits, and N.C.O. instructors. In addition, a short refresher course attended by all officers of the Regular Force was hekHn December, 1947. Tactics and Administration Wings were established at the School during the year, the staff for the former being provided by officers lately returned from the Staff College in the United Kingdom. Artillery The installation of the remaining equipment for the coast defences was continued as fast as the acute shortage of man-power has permitted. During October, 1947, a short series of Observation of Fire Courses for Regular officers of the Royal New Zealand Artillery was held at Waiouru.

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Armour In order to meet the need which will exist in the post-war Army for training in armoured fighting vehicles, the Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps School was established at Waiouru in March, 1948. A series of courses for potential Regular Force instructors is to begin shortly. New Zealand School Cadets In the period 1947-48 over 90 per cent, of all boys attending the post-primary schools were members of the School Cadet units. The total of 24,273 has risen by 50 per cent, compared with 1938-39. Outstanding results were obtained in 1947 in the -22 rifle competition held annually by the National Rifle Association of Great Britain. New Zealand won more silver and bronze medals than any other Empire country. Four Imperial trophies were awarded, one school (Southland Boys' High School Cadets) winning the Senior Challenge Shield for the second occasion, a Dominion record. Control of Cadets and Rifle Clubs The Cadets and rifle clubs present different problems of control and administration from the Army proper. In consequence, and in view of their increased numerical strength, it was decided to establish a separate Directorate of Cadets and Rifle Clubs at Army Headquarters. Superannuation During the period under review, the Superannuation Act, 1947, was passed giving uniformity in the superannuation provisions of the three Services. The Superannuation Act, 1947, makes it compulsory for all members of the Regular Force of seventeen years of age and over who contract to serve for a period of two years or over to contribute to the Superannuation Fund. Provision is also made for members to count previous civil contributory service and to purchase previous service in the Armed Forces, within certain limits, towards contributory service as a regular member. Leave With effect from Ist October, 1947, new leave scales have been introduced providing for uniformity among the three Services and equity between commissioned and noncommissioned ranks. Pay In order to ensure that the uniformity among the three Services established under the new pay scales is maintained, an Armed Forces Accountants' Committee, with a Treasury representative as Chairman, has been established to examine and discuss financial questions which arise affecting the three Services. Drafting of Regulations As a consequence of the 1939-45 War and the subsequent changes that have occurred in the Regular Force, the regulations of the New Zealand Military Forces require to be completely rewritten. The rewriting of the regulations is dependent to a large extent on the review of the Defence Act, but it is anticipated that the new regulations will be completed by the end of 1948.

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Courts-martial —Offences—Military Law The reviewing of all court-martial proceedings has been continued. These have mainly originated from 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). Every endeavour has been made to standardize sentences and afford military offenders just remissions of sentence whenever they have been earned by good conduct. War Crimes Investigation of war crimes has continued, and there are now few outstanding cases in which New Zealand soldiers are concerned. In many instances it has been found impossible to apprehend the accused persons, but such cases are kept continually under review. Medical Services The general health of troops has been good. The average sick rate per thousand men per day was 26-5, and the hospital admission rate I*2. The total deaths from all causes were 20, including 7 accidental. On 31st May, 1948, there were 15 medical officers serving full-time in the Army : all of these were in Japan, including 9 medical officers recruited in Great Britain. The strength of the N.Z. Army Nursing Service was 62. Of these, 16 Sisters and 31 Y.A.D.s were in Japan. Sixty-one were on full-time service and 1, the Matron-in-Chief, on part-time service. All senior medical administrative posts in New Zealand were occupied by parttime medical officers, while an efficient camp service was supplied by visiting civilian medical practitioners. The hygiene and sanitation of occupied camps remains good. The Hygiene Wing attached to the Army School of Instruction has been reconstituted and is now in a position to undertake the training of troops. Courses are being arranged for all three Services. Stocktaking is now concluded at Base Medical Stores, Trentham. Mobilization equipment is now set out in sections available for issue at short notice. Boards of Survey have been held to arrange disposal of perishable stores, such as intravenous infusions. Any materials containing impurities have been destroyed. Eye examinations and refractions have been carried out by approved civilian opticians. One thousand nine hundred and thirty ful} visual examinations have been carried out and 706 pairs of spectacles provided. Dental Services The period covered by this report during which the Royal N.Z. Army Dental Corps was re-established in the role of an integrated Dental Service for the Navy, Army, and Air Force has been difficult from the manning aspect. During the past period, due to releases to civil life and to lack of replacements, the strength of the Dental Service has gradually been reduced to the following Headquarters Dental Services (Administrative), Navy, Army, Air, Army Headquarters—v Director of Dental Services .. .. .. .. 1 Staff Officer and Quartermaster .. .. .. 1 Other rank .. .. .. ... .. .. 1 3 W.A.A.F. (attached) .. .. .. .. 1 4

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Army Camps, Air Stations, and Naval Establishments—

(Corresponding figures for last period shown in parentheses.) The dental condition of recruits from civil life who entered the Forces during the past year has not improved, and with the gradual reduction of dental personnel to below minimum requirements and lack of replacements it has been practically impossible to effect or even maintain a state of dental fitness throughout the Forces. It was impossible to complete the dental treatment of personnel of the Second Relief of 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan), but it may be claimed that all draftings of R.N.Z.A.F. and R.N. Z.N. were rendered fit. Personnel of the three Services were returned to civil life in a state of dental health and masticatory efficiency of not less than the dental standard which existed upon entry to the Forces as shown by the Dental History Sheet at that time. General Summary of Dental Treatment rendered by the R.N.Z.A.D. Corps for the Three Services, Ist June, 1947, to 31st May, 1948 — (a) Surgical operations— Fillings .. .. .. .. 12,849 (33,089) Teeth extracted .. .. .. 2,632 (10,745) Prophylactic treatments .. .. 1,126 ( 4.382) (b) Artificial dentures — Full dentures.. .. .. .. 834 ( 1,403) Partial dentures .. .. .. 374 ( 862) Dentures remodelled .. .. .. 201 ( 925) Dentures repaired .. .. .. 1,210 ( 1,958) (Corresponding figures for the previous period shown in parentheses.) Dental equipment and stores held in the Army Base Dental Store, Trentham, are estimated to be adequate for our immediate future requirements, including mobilization reserves. Army Educational and Welfare Service Army educational services were maintained throughout the Army in New Zealand and Japan for the year. Formal education was continued in Japan, and 754 men enrolled under this section, whilst 511 attended classes in carpentry, languages, arts and crafts, and other subjects. The average library borrowing per month was 3,914 books. Jayforce Times was reduced

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Operating Officers. Other Ranks. W.A.A.F. (Attached). W.R.N.S. and Ratings (Attached). W.R.N.S. | Ratings. N.M.D C.M.D. S.M.D. Army Base Dental Store 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) 1 4 5 4 ■2 2 0 t > 1 2 4 1(6) 15 (30) 6 (13) 2(7) 4(3) 1 (5) 6(16) . .

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to a fortnightly publication in December, 1947, to coincide with the departure of the R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft on a fortnightly schedule. In New Zealand, the lending library continued to service 36 Navy, Army, and Air Force camps and stations. The University Text-book Section was handed over to the Rehabilitation Department on 31st March, 1948, but a condition of the transfer was that the Rehabilitation Department would continue to supply text-books to serving personnel of Navy, Army, and Air Force. Negotiations are in progress to have the welfare of ex-service patients in hospitals carried out by the Rehabilitation Department, this work at preserit being done by A.E.W.S. in conjunction with the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the Red Cross. Both training and educational films have been distributed to all Navy, Army, and Air Force stations and camps by the N.Z. Services Film Library, which has also been responsible for maintaining the 16 mm. sound projectors. Sport has been handled by A.E.W.S., and successful inter-district tournaments have been arranged for boxing, athletics, and Rugby. Accommodation Considerable progress has been made in vacating rented land and premises. Forty tenancies, with a total annual rental of £12,773, were vacated. These tenancies included 47,487 square feet of privately owned storage space and 48,000 square feet of Government storage space. For commercial use or for other Government Departments, 14,979 square feet of office space were released. Surplus lands have been similarly released, 3,047 acres reverting to lessors and 1,701 acres of Government land being disposed of by the Ministry of Works. Movements Movement Control throughout New Zealand conducted 38 embarkations totalling 2,073 personnel and 87 disembarkations totalling 3,971 personnel. Army personnel moved by air to and from destinations outside New Zealand totalled : outward, 66 ; inward, 185. New Zealand Railways provided 16 special troop trains, carrying 7,100 military personnel. Total personnel booked through Army Railway Transport Offices on ordinary trains amounted to 15,049. Dependants of New Zealand Services personnel disembarked in New Zealand totalled : wives, 52 ; fiancees, 61 ; children, 50. In addition, Movement Control arranged transportation for Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Navy dependants arriving in New Zealand. Engineer Service Houses.—During the period under review, 72 housing units were built for married Army personnel by construction companies of the Royal New Zealand Engineers. Immigrants.—Accommodation in military camps was made available at Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin to the Department of Labour and Employment for the reception of immigrants sponsored by that Department. Maintenance. —Due to the national shortage of building-materials and labour, much of the routine maintenance work on Army buildings has had to be deferred. Supplies and Transport The rations issued to troops in New Zealand for the year totalled 627,419, the average cost being 2s. l-383d. per daily ration, an increase of 2 • 42d. on the previous, year.

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Supplies were procured for 8.C.0.F., Japan, to a total cost of £101,994 Is. Bd., of which a portion to the value of £41,586 10s. 7d. only was actually shipped. The balance, valued at £60,407 lis. Id., being surplus to 8.C.0.F. reduced requirements, has been declared to War Assets Realization Board for disposal. Fertilizers and vegetable seeds to the value of £248 17s. 4d. were shipped to 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan). Foodstuffs imported consisted of tea, rice, and dried fruits to a value of £7,332 6s. 2d. The consumption of petrol in New Zealand for the year amounted to 273,989 gallons, a reduction of 193,010 gallons on the previous year. Other fuels consumed in camp were : Tons. Coal .. .. .. .. .. 3,263 (3,823) Coke .. .. .. .. .. 693 (1,235) Firewood .. .. .. .. 1,052 (2,335) Gallons. Fuel oil .. .. .. .. 91,303 (98,742) (Previous year's figures shown in parentheses.) Defence Services Provision Office Stores to the value of £220,437 were during the year shipped overseas on behalf of the United Kingdom Government. With the exception of rifle-slings to the value of £2,125, all of these stores comprised items manufactured in New Zealand against orders placed by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. During the year surplus stocks of United Kingdom Government stores to the value of £236,280 were taken over by War Assets Realization Board, in addition to which, universal carriers with spare engines and parts were acquired by Army at a cost of £50,000. Surplus stores belonging to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom valued at £94,983 are still held for local disposal, whilst items to the value of £86,348 are awaiting shipment to the United Kingdom. Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Service Inspection, repair, and maintenance of the great quantities of artillery, small-arms, radar, telecommunication equipment, instruments, and wheeled and tracked vehicles have been carried on during the year. Owing to the serious shortage of skilled personnel, priority has had to be given to current requirements, and much equipment not in current use has not received the degree of attention which would be desirable. Wheeled and tracked vehicles were transferred to Ordnance control on Ist September, 1947, and spare parts, tools, and accessories on Ist April, 1948. These transactions virtually marked the end of the wartime Mechanical Transport Branch. As far as buildings and workshop tools are concerned, R.N.Z.E.M.E. is reasonably well equipped to handle all normal peacetime repairs to the modern complex equipment of the Army and, in addition, to undertake vehicle repairs for the Navy and the Air Force. Ordnance Service All Ordnance establishments have been fully occupied 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 £595,000. During the year all possible surplus motor transport spare parts have been declared to War Assets Realization Board. In addition, 1,511 surplus carriers and vehicles were sold, of which 827 carriers and 444 motor-cycles went to private individuals, whilst about all the 230 cars and vehicles went to Government Departments.

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Details of stores received and requisitions placed overseas during tlie year are as under:— Value of receipts — £(N.Z.) From United Kingdom .. .. .. .. 41,500 From Australia .. .. .. .. 3,200 £44,700 Estimated value of requisitions— On United Kingdom .. .. .. .. 86,200 On Australia .. .. .. .. 1,100 £87,300 At all depots, acute shortages of staff have prevented preservation work being carried out on much valuable equipment, but every endeavour is being made with the staff, materials, and facilities available to maintain equipment in good condition. Inspecting Ordnance Officers' Group This group has been fully occupied in the inspection and repair of large stocks of all types of ammunition and explosives, and, in addition, has carried out a considerable programme involving the destruction of unserviceable ammunition and explosives and the preparation of further unserviceable ammunition for dumping. Bay Accounts War Service Gratuity.—During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1948, 7,643 war service gratuity applications were received, bringing the total applications lodged to 227,410. The total amount deposited to war service gratuity Post Office accounts to 31st March, 1948, was £20,142,075, of which £679,008 was deposited during the year ended 31st March, 1948. Overseas Leave.—ln October, 1946, the Government decided that the scale of overseas leave —viz., two days leave for each month of overseas service—was to be made retrospective to the beginning of the war to cover periods of service before the inauguration of that scale on 19th April, 1944. Up to 31st March, 1948, 9,382 applications for payment in lieu of leave were received ; 3,247 during the year under review. Final Pay.—The number of accounts of returned soldiers brought to completion during the year totalled 3,932. Amounts unclaimed. —A check of all pay accounts is being carried out to ascertain what payments, issuable on application, have not yet been claimed, and forms of application are being forwarded to the ex-soldiers concerned at their last-known address. Base Records Personal Files.—Base Records now holds all original personal files for Army personnel (Second World War) with the exception of those of the N.Z. Regular Force and of officers of the Territorial, Interim Army, and N.Z.W.A.O. It also holds a file for each application for war service gratuity dealt with on behalf of the R.N.Z.A.F. and R.N.Z.N. and the files of ballotees who were not mobilized. The personal files held total approximately 445,000.

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X-ray films, which form part of a soldier's personal medical record, now number approximately 430,000. Discharge Certificates. —The issue of final certificates of discharge is now nearing completion, a total of 61,600 certificates having been issued during the year. There still remains approximately 8,000 to be prepared for 2 N.Z.E.F. personnel and 7,000 for N.Z.T.S. and other home-service personnel. Casualties.—The following casualties among 2 N.Z.E.F. (Japan) personnel were notified during the year : accidentally killed, 1 ; accidentally drowned, 1 ; died of sickness, 3 : total, 5. The only other 2 N.Z.E.F. casualties recorded were presumptions of death in the cases of 40 personnel previously classified as " Missing " in the Middle East and Central Mediterranean war theatres. There still remain 7 men officially posted as missing, these being in the main personnel who were known to be prisoners of war before the end of hostilities but about whom there has been no later information. New Zealand Memorial Cross. —A commencement was made in January, 1948, with the engraving and distribution of the New Zealand Memorial Cross to the widows and mothers of deceased New Zealand servicemen, and to the 31st March 2,565 crosses had been sent to recipients by registered post. This total included 1,790 for Army personnel, 364 Navy, 374 Air Force, and 37 Merchant Navy. Engraving and distribution is continuing at the rate of approximately 1,000 Crosses per week. New Zealand Memorial Scroll.—By Cabinet decision on Ist July, 1947, approval was given for the issue of a Memorial Scroll to the next-of-kin of deceased members of the New Zealand Armed Forces and Merchant Navy. The New Zealand Scroll is to be the same as that to be issued for deceased members of the British Imperial Forces. Fifteen thousand Scrolls, in blank, ordered from the United Kingdom, have recently come to hand. The names and descriptions of the servicemen to be commemorated will be printed into the Scrolls by the Government Printing Office, and distribution will be carried out by each Service independently as the printing is completed. Army Expenditure The expenditure brought to charge under War Expenses—Army during the financial year 1947-48 was £5,584,197, while miscellaneous receipts totalled £1,883,863, making a net expenditure of £3,700,334 for the year. In addition, the sum of £719,076 was received through disposal of surplus assets by Army and £344,637 by War Assets Bealization Board on account of Army, a total of £1,063,713. The expenditure under Consolidated Fund vote " Army " was £3,470,245, with departmental receipts amounting to £202,419, a net expenditure of £3,267,826. N. W. McD. Weir, Major-General, Chief of the General Staff. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (648 copies), £22 10s.

By Authority: E. Y. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —l94B.

Price 6d.~\

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