H.—l9d

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many functions beyond training, such as strategical and policy questions, intelligence, censorship, &c. In these relations the duties of the responsible branches must inevitably overlap slightly. It should be noted that discipline is not a function of the General Staff, but of the Adjutant-General. Page 63. 124. Adjutant-General's Branch split up between an Administrative Department and the Branch of the Chief of the General Staff. The Adjutant-General has no branches which are not administrative. The Commission confuses " administration " with the functions of the Quartermaster-General, whereas " administration " comprises the functions of both Adjutant-General and QuartermasterGeneral. The following diagram, so far as personnel is concerned, will serve to express it:— Training Administration J 1 C.G.B. | | (trains the man). A.G. Q.M.G. (all dealings with men outside (all dealings with subjects that training — e.g., recruiting, are not men — e.g., stores, medical, &c). &c). All that is not administrative falls under " training," and these two are never mixed ; and though transferring some of tho Adjutant-General's duties to the Chief of the General Staff would be impracticable rather than impossible, a situation without parallel in British Forces would be created by such a transfer. The work of the Quartermaster-General and of the Adjutant-General could be combined in two sections under one head, but the extent of the work in New Zealand during the present war would make supervision impossible for one man. As a matter of fact, the administrative duties of an Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General were in pre-war days combined in the New Zealand district commands, but a very short experience of war caused the separation of the two spheres even in the districts, where the work is necessarily much less than at Headquarters. The appointment of a General Officer in Charge of Administration would not dispense with the necessity for the performance of any of the duties of the Adjutant-General or of the Quartermaster-General, and any attempt to dispense with those officers and throw the whole responsibility upon the General Officer in Charge of Administration would inevitably break down on account of the magnitude of the work involved. An Adjutant-General is a usual and necessary part of a Military Staff, performing definite functions, and existing in all armies of the great nations of the world. Page 64. 125. Establishment of the Audit Department, in London. Vide 20. Page 14. This matter has been under consideration for some time past. Arrangements have now been completed to send agents of the Auditor-General to Europe at an early date. In the meantime the General Officer Commanding New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the United Kingdom has set up a small Military Audit Branch. Page 64. 126. Appoint, a, representative of Audit, in each Military District. Vide 23. Page 14. There is already a representative of the Government Auditor in each district, The above recommendation will be placed before the Auditor-General with a view to a possible extension of the duties of his officers. It must, however, be borne in mind that pre-audit of accounts introduces an element of delay in settlement. Page 64. 127. Change, brigade system for battalion system in camps. Vide 71. Page 38. It is regretted that the Commission did not go more fully into this problem. No officers of the staff at General Headquarters were called to give evidence on the subject. It is denied that the camp organization is too centralized and expensive. The results attained show that the organization is good. The cost per head shows that it is not expensive. The size of the staff compares most favourably with that of any other camp of which particulars are available. The system is economical, efficient, and is best suited to meet local conditions of provisions of trained Reinforcements. The battalion system is essentially a fighting weapon; the New Zealand camp system is essentially a machine for turning out Reinforcements. Page 64. 128. Reduce camp establishments. Vide 82. Page 40. It is regretted that this question was not given more consideration. Little evidence was called for from officers concerned. It must be remembered that Medical and Dental Corps alone account for 20 per cent, of the camp staff. The New Zealand camps compare extremely favourably with the camps in the United Kingdom as regards size of staff. The