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1915. NEW ZEALAND.

DEFENCE FORCES OF NEW ZEALAND. REPORT OF THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE FORCES FROM 25th JUNE, 1914, TO 26th JUNE, 1915.

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

Department of Defence, Headquarters Office, The Hon. the Minister of Defence. Wellington, 2nd July, 1915. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the annual report on the Defence Forces which I have the honour, in the absence of Major-General Sir A. J. Godley, K.C.M.G., C.8., to temporarily command. The report covers the period from date of last year's report to the opening of Parliament on the 26th June, 1915. Since last annual report the Empire has been involved in a serious and far-reaching war, necessitating the despatch of an Expeditionary Force for service where required and for the duration of the war. The first to leave New Zealand was a Force which successfully occupied Samoa. Shortly afterwards the Main Body was despatched. Eegular Eeinforcements on highest scale have regularly Hollowed, and several new units have been organized and have sailed, while others are in training at Trentham for despatch in due course. Detachments of nurses, and personnel for stationary hospitals, have also been organized. A hospital ship is nearing completion. The embarkation ot the Forces has been accomplished without a single serious accident to man and horse, and the casualties have been remarkably low while en route or in camp of training here. Concurrent with above the mobilization of the Coast Defence Forces and the training of the Territorial Force and Cadets have been successfully carried out, the number trained exceeding that of any previous year. The spirit shown by all ranks has been excellent, the result under ' the circumstances quite satisfactory, as will be seen by perusal of report under Section I, Chief of the General Staff. The suggestions made by the Inspector-General Overseas Forces on his recent visit are being steadily carried out as far as is consistent with the war emergency which now exists. To further this object a qualified officer, appointed by the Civil Service Commissioner, has since February last been inspecting the various departments with a view to improvements and rectifying weak points in the detail administration. Perusal of Section 11, Adjutant-General's Branch, will show that the suggestions made by General Sir lan Hamilton re administration in the various groups and subdivisions of the districts are being carried out. The annual quota for this and future years will be posted on a true quota of age to ensure a regular inflow to eventually reach and maintain the Territorial Force at the 30,000 provided for in the Act. Reference to Section 111, Quartermaster-General's Branch, and to Appendices D and F, Table of Duties, indicates how the War Expenses Department is organized. Every care is being taken to administer the annual appropriation for the Defence Forces apart, from that of the war expenses, also to keep separate the home mobilization, Samoan, and Main Force in detail and total, to enable the cost at any time to be ascertained as accurately as possible. I desire to especially bring to your notice the splendid and loyal work of all ranks of the Military, and Civil, and Clerical Staff of the Defence Department, the various Departments of State, Territorial officers and non-commissioned officers who are temporarily filling the places of the Permanent Staff, and many others not directly connected with the Department, such as Transport Board, various committees, and others throughout the "Dominion who have given excellent service. All have laboured early and late, and will continue to do so in the cause the people of New Zealand and yourself, sir, have so much at heart. I have, &c, A. W. Robin, Brigadier-General, Commanding New Zealand Forces.

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