11

H.—l9

Six of the officers of the contingent were formerly Cadets in its ranks while seven officers and fifty-six other ranks have passed into the Expeditionary Force. This unit has made steady progress since formation, and has been considerably helped by the interest shown by the University authorities and the enthusiasm of its members. 26. Strength of the Forces. The strength of the New Zealand Defence Forces on the 31st March, 1918, was as under : — Territorial Force .. .. .. .. .. .. ..22,933 Senior Cadets .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30,668 Rifle Clubs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,252 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 60,853 As was the case last year, all members of the General Training Section have been posted to the Territorial Force. The above figures do not include, members of the Territorial Force who are absent on service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. 27. Legislation. Since my last report the following Acts affecting the New Zealand Forces were passed into law : — (1.) The Military Service Amendment Act, 1917, modifying the provisions of the Military Service Act, 1916, relating to the selection of men for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (2.) The War Pensions Amendment Act, 1917, amending the War Pensions' Act, 191.5, chiefly in the direction of increasing tho scale of pensions. (3.) The War Legislation Act, 1917, making, inter alia, provisions for— (a.) The relief of soldiers from burdensome contracts ; (b.) War bursaries for educational purposes to children of deceased or discharged soldiers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force ; and (c.) Validating War Regulations. 28. Prosecutions. Appendix A is a return of prosecutions laid under the Defence Act, 1909, and its amendments, from the Ist May, 1917, to the 30th April, 1918. During the above period the percentage of convictions to prosecutions was as follows : Territorials, 92-31 ; Senior Cadets, 91-39. This return shows a decrease in the number prosecuted for breaches of the Defence Act for the corresponding period of the previous year to the extent of 555 Territorials and 147 Senior Cadets. 29. Posting. Prior to 1916 youths on becoming of age for service with the Territorial Force were posted to this Force in annual quotas in such manner as to ultimately produce a Territorial Force containing seven classes of men of approximately equal strength, of ages 18-19, 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, 22-23, 23-24, 24-25, in order that the inward draft each year would approximately correspond to the number passing to the Reserve in the same year. All men in excess of these annual quotas were posted to the General Training Section. As a result of the operation of the Military Service Act, however, fit men of the Territorial Force are, on attaining the age of twenty years, drafted to the Expeditionary Force on being drawn in the ballot or volunteering for that Force. This has necessitated a modification of the original scheme for posting annual quotas, and the practice adopted at the 1916-17 posting— i.e., of posting all available trainees to units of the Territorial Foree —was continued for the year 1917-18. As indicated in the last annual report, the General Training Section has now been absorbed into units of the Territorial Force for the year 1917-18. Postings of youths to the Senior Cadets and Territorial Force were carried out in June, 1917, prime consideration being given to Coast Defence units. All Senior Cadets who were eligible were posted to the Territorial Force on their passing the required test The following table shows the numbers posted in each district: —

Table of Postings, 1917-18.

District. To Senior Cadets. To Territorial Force. Totals. Auckland Canterbury Otago Wellington 2,282 2,855 1,153 2,749 2,140 1,180 1,357 2,539 t 4,422 4,035 2,510 5,288 Totals 9,039 7,216 16,255