H.—l9c

8

Conferences. In few cases, if any, were we able to ascertain that the heads of branches regularly summoned conferences of their subordinates stationed in various districts. Perhaps this was due to excess of work and want of fitting opportunity, but we note with pleasure that it is intended in the future to hold such conferences, when men from districts -whether Officers Commanding Districts or officers in. charge of district branches—can meet together at Headquarters under the sympathetic guidance of their superiors and discuss each other's difficulties, failures, and successes, and be encouraged and strengthened by advice from their chiefs at General Headquarters. Conferences of this kind cannot fail to do good and to stimulate initiative. More than once we had evidence that when an officer from a district was in Wellington and would call, hoping to be able to discuss matters with the chief of his branch, he found that the latter was so busy doing personal work that his door was locked and he was not available. The industry of such a man may be commendable ; but he is neither an organizer nor a successful leader, and the net result of his individual effort so applied is probably a saving of a penny at the cost of a pound. We feel bound to say that we have seen few, if any, cases where initiative has been encouraged in tinder-officers, either within General Headquarters, or from the latter to the districts. On the other hand, there have been plenty of instances where suggestions which seemed quite well worth while inquiring into, from districts to General Headquarters, have been coldly received ; and the officers in districts have come to the conclusion that it is more pleasant to " carry on " than to suggest better schemes or departures from well-trodden paths. In such branches as Stores, Supplies, Transport, Training, and Pay, difficulties must continually arise ; and conferences between the officers concerned for the solving of these and other recurring difficulties will prove very valuable, not the least advantage being a better feeling than is now evident between some of the heads of branches at General Headquarters and their subordinates in. districts. An instance of a man satisfied with things as they are —be they good, bad, or indifferent —and who has got well down into his groove, is the Assistant Director of Supplies and Transport at Auckland. The method of accounting for stores at small camps was not good. It was alleged by the officer who had been in charge there, admitted, by officers in other districts similarly situated, and shown by the system itself, that it was not only capable of manipulation, but that it was sometimes manipulated in order that stocks might be made to balance with stores requisitioned and distributed. Fraud was only suggested as being more potential than actual ; but, either from carelessness in failing to record distribution or for other reason, when the book balances did not tally with stores actually on hand alterations were made to reconcile them. This Auckland officer, on being questioned on the matter, admitted that he was not completely satisfied with the methods in use ; but he also admitted that he had made no suggestions whatever for betterment, and the only reason he could give for not doing so was that he was a soldier. His own words were, " I am not prepared to say that the thing is good or bad ; I leave that to my chief." And when asked, " Because a course is laid down for you, you will follow it without any suggestion for betterment ?" he answered, "As a soldier lam compelled to do so." Could anything be more ridiculous ? This officer draws for pay and rations £386 10s. a year ; but we elicited the candid expression of opinion from his chief, the Director of Supplies and Transport, that a man of this type might get in outside employment £4 a week. It is fair to quote, per contra, a sergeant-major under the Assistant Director of Supplies and Transport in the Canterbury Military District, who has been complimented by the Director of Supplies and Transport on savings effected and the methods in which he has carried out his work, and has been recommended on several occasions for promotion to commissioned rank, such promotion being not approved simply because no vacancy has occurred. It would not take long in private employ, or in any other concern governed by its profit and loss account, to make and fill a vacancy under the conditions outlined above. Some officers at General Headquarters frankly admitted to us that for want of time to visit districts, and of opportunity to get into closer touch with outlying