13

H.—l9

During the year modifications were made as regards the period of attendance at camp demanded of Medical Officers, and it was hoped that this would have enabled those to attend who in previous years have been unable to leave their civilian practice for the entire period of camp. Further facilities for those officers are now under consideration. Good work was done by the Field Ambulances, and their training has progressed. The sanitation in camps was very satisfactory. The report of the Director of Medical Services will be found in Appendix H. 32. Strength ok the Territorial Force. The strength of the Territorial Force on the -JJOth April, i9li, «as — Territorial Force ... ... ... ... ... ... 25,684 Senior Cadets ... ... .. ... . . ... 25,332 Rifle Clubs— (a.) General Training Section .. ... ... ... 3,729 (6.) Ordinary members ... . ... ~ ... 2,577 Total ... ... .. ... ... 57,322 33. Changes in Organization of the Forces. The foui depot companies, Army Service Corps, referred to in paragraph 27 of last year's annual report, have not been formed, it being considered that an establishment of two divisional trains and a company for each of the four Mounted Kifles Brigades, ten companies in all, will meet both the immediate and probable future requirements of the force in this respect. These ten companies are now in existence. The 9th (Wellington East Coast) Regiment, comprising two battalions, has been made into two regiments —viz., the 9th (Hawke's Bay) Regiment and the 17th (Ruahine) Regiment. The Motor Reserve of Officers referred to in my last year's report is now in existence, and the reorganization of the Signal services has been completed. The reorganization of duties at Army Headquarters recommended by the Inspector-General will be taken in hand at once. 34. Legislation. No legislation with regard to the Defence Act was introduced during last session. Certain further amendments in matters of detail will be necessary in the future, and they are now receiving consideration. 35. Administration of the Defence Act. A Committee of both Houses of Parliament which sat during last session was in some ways of great assistance to the Department in the administration of the Defence Act. The many aspects pf the question of extending to the conscientious objector the opportunity of performing some alternative to military service has been under consideration, but no decision as to the shape such service should take has yet been decided upon. Several useful suggestions have been received from Municipal and County Council authorities, and the matter is now receiving consideration. The thanks of the Defence Department are due to the Justice Department and to the Magistrates for their valuable assistance and co-operation in the administration of the Defence Act; also to the Education Department and school-teachers in the matter of facilitating the registration of boys for military training on their leaving school. :.>6. Discipline. The influence of military training upon those who have hitherto been subjected to it has been a matter of favourable comment on the part of employers and others in a position to judge. When the ranks of the Territorials are tilled with young men who have wived their time as Cadets there is reason to believe that a high standard of discipline in the Territorial Force will hi reached. In all districts except Otago the abnormally early winter and bad weather entailed considerable discomfort to the troops in camp. In one instance there was some disturbance, but if those concerned had had more experience of life in camp many of the causes contributing to discontent would have been avoided, and a strain would not have been thrown upon the discipline of troops not yet fully conversant with the details of interior economy so conducive to the comfort and well-being of troops in the field. Generally speaking, under conditions which, as a rule, were adverse, the conduct of the troops in camp, and of the Cadets at the concentrations for the Inspector-General, was all that could be desired, and throughout the year there has been a marked improvement in the discipline shown by both Territorials and Cadets at the ordinary drills nnd parades. 37. Prosecutions. Appendix J gives a return of prosecutions under the Defence Act since the inauguration of the present defence system down to the 30th April, 1914, and also a separate return from the Ist May, 1913, to the 30th April, 1914 (for the year 1913-14). From the commencement of universal training the percentage of convictions to prosecutions was 78"69 in the case of Territorials, and 77 - 37 in the case of Senior Cadets, and from the Ist May, 1913, the percentages have increased to 86 - 68 and 8T66 respectively. In no case has any one been committed to gaol during the past year.