H.—l9d

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respective appointments, and to change them unnecessarily would inevitably entail loss of efficiency and considerable waste of money. All vacancies which may occur have been and will be filled by returned officers. Page 41. 83. Co-ordination of Chaplains would, save expense. The number of Chaplains of different denominations employed in the camps is a question for Government policy, but any reduction is to be deprecated, since the Chaplains do an immense amount of good. Page 41. 84. Sergeant-major Drill Instructors. The case of the Drill Instructors has been fully "inquired into and satisfactorily cleared up. Page 41. 85. Men should, be embarked -with one suit of uniform, and two suits of denims instead of two suits of uniforms. Men are embarked with one denim jacket, one pair denim shorts, and one pair denim trousers. These are worn on board ship. Two suits of uniforms arc also issued in accordance with Imperial Army requirements for all troops proceeding overseas to base. Not only do we comply with Imperial requirements, but we effect economy. Clothing which goes as personal kit goes free, while if sent as cargo incurs heavy charges. Page 41. 80. Knives, forks, &c, if issued, on board ship, should, not be, issued, to the soldier. There never was and is not now a second issue of knives, forks, &c, to soldiers aboard ships; at the present time the shipping company supplies the cutlery for use on the voyage. Page 41. 87. Reduce the ration, scale on a, basis of experience to a fairer unit, to work, on. There are three ration scales in force in New Zealand— (a) For the New Zealand Expeditionary Force camps, Home Service details and mobilized troops in forts, guards for prisoners of war; (b) for Maoris and Islanders in the Narrow Neck Camp; (c) for Territorial camps. It is a well-known fact that when troops first arrive in camp they eat the full ration, and after a, time in camp they eat less. Secondly, in large camps, such as Featherston and Trentham, where there is a great amount of leave given, there naturally must be a saving in the ration scale; but in small detachments, forts, &c, where the numbers are small,'invariably the full ration is drawn and eaten. It must be borne in mind that though the scale of rations laid down is a liberal one, it must not be inferred that the full quantity of diet is actually drawn. Page 42. 88. Information on comparative costs of rationing in different camps should be, published, from time to time — say, monthly. Arrangements have been made to publish costs monthly through the medium of General Orders. Page 42. 89. Publication of costs of Territorial Force camps are too much delayed. Normally there is no undue delay. The cost of Territorial camps, which usually terminate in May each year, are incorporated in the Annual Report of the General Officer Commanding, which is issued in June, so that only a month intervenes between the report of the General Officer Commanding and the conclusion of annual camp. However, the costs will in future be also published in General Orders. Page 42. 90. Some men who draw 2s. per diem in lieu of rations also obtain meals in camp. The allegation that men in receipt of 25.-per-diem allowance in lieu of rations also obtain meals in camp was fully investigated early in the present year. Little grounds for the allegation were forthcoming. Strict precautions are always taken. Page 42. 91. Suitable explanation not forthcoming for including cost of fuel and straw in rations. Paragraph 254, New Zealand Allowance Regulations, is as follows : " In regimental, battery, or unit camps no rations or forage will be issued by the A.S.C. As regards rations, an allowance of 2s. per head per diem will be allowed in lieu of rations in kind, including both the day of arrival and departure; and O.C.s units will make their own arrangements for feeding their men. It is to be clearly understood that the 2s. per day is to include all fuel necessary for cooking, wages of cooks, waiters, Ac." This was pointed out to the Commission as the reason for the inclusion. Page 43. 92. Possibility of sending Professor Kirk, to deal, with flies in Egypt and Palestine. Professor Kirk's services were offered for work abroad, and were declined. Page 43. 93. Professor Kirk's work should extend to Trentham. Professor Kirk's work will extend to Trentham.