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5. The Cadets. The training of the Cadets, as a whole, is progressing satisfactorily, and is giving good results. The situation as regards the officers serving with Cadet units is not yet satisfactory, although it has improved during the year. There are at present 525 officers serving with the Cadets, but many units and companies are still short of their full establishment of officers, and some companies have none. In consequence of this there are still a large number of drill centres where the whole of the Cadettraining devolves entirely upon the Permanent Staff. As a result of this shortage of officers and qualified Cadet non-commissioned officers, also the constant transfers and influx of untrained Cadets in many of the training-centres, there is great difficulty in avoiding a certain amount of repetition of elementary drill and exercises. Every effort is being made to reduce this, and with the increasing number of officers and the greater proficiency of the Territorial and Cadet non-commissioned officers serving with the Cadet units this difficulty should be gradually eliminated. The officers of the Cadet units, and certain non-commissioned officers, are seconded for this duty from the Territorial regiments, and since the Commanding Officers of the Territorial battalions have been given the responsibility of selecting and supplying officers and non-commissioned officers from their own units for this special duty with their affiliated Cadet battalions a considerable improvement is already noticeable. The growing recognition of the important fact that the initial training of the Cadet is the foundation upon which the later Territorial soldier's training and efficiency is based has had a marked effect on the general interest and progress of our Cadet training. The Secondary-school Cadets are in a much more advantageous position, and in the majority of cases attain to a high standard of efficiency in their Cadet training. It is obvious that this should obtain, as the organization, control, and general facilities of the schools and colleges permit of more regular and complete attendance at drills and parades, thus ensuring consistent and progressive training. It is very encouraging to note that many very efficient officers and non-commissioned officers now serving in the Territorial Force, and also with Cadet companies, have graduated through the Secondary-school Cadet units. As in the cft.se of the Territorial Force, provision has been made for special courses of instruction for the officers and non-commissioned officers doing duty with the Cadets, and also for holding short periods of instruction, or " barracks," at the schools and colleges themselves. Many requests have been received for these " barracks " during the coming training season. The cost of this special form of instruction is largely borne by the schools themselves, and therefore entails only a small expenditure from the training vote. The discipline, efficiency, and general results obtained from these " barracks " are of a very high standard, and their value cannot be overestimated. The Posting Instructions, recently issued, which will govern the postage to the Cadets and Territorial Forces on the Ist June, 1928, contain certain new features which have been introduced with the object of simplifying the general administration of the Cadets and more especially of eliminating the unsatisfactory condition which at present exists during the first year of non-secondary-school Cadet training. In the past Cadets have been provisionally posted to units as they become eligible, and have commenced their training from such date. This has resulted in boys dribbling into the Cadets all through the year, to the detriment of organized and progressive training. Under the new instructions the obligation to register on attaining the age of fourteen remains unchanged, but, with the exception of those attending secondary schools, Cadets will not be called up to commence their training until the Ist June of their fifteenth year. This will ensure that the great majority of the Cadets will commence their training simultaneously, and consequently will permit of more systematic and progressive instruction. In addition, the reduced numbers during the coming training season will, to some extent, lessen the present congestion in drill-hall and other training facilities in the larger centres. As in the past, the first two years of training will be very largely devoted to graduated exercises and physical development, only the minimum of elementary drill and musketry being taught. The more advanced instruction given in the final year of Cadet training will constitute the commencement of the Cadets' recruit training for Territorial Service, and will be designed as the preliminary part of similar but higher and more specialized instruction which will be given on joining the Territorial Force. The Syllabus of Cadet Training is being revised on these lines. Though for financial and other reasons it has now become necessary to restrict the Territorial Force to its peace establishment, it will be noted that in the above instructions the principle of universal service still applies to the Cadets of this Dominion, and notwithstanding the many isolated districts and consequent curtailment of training-centres we are still training nearly 78 per cent, of those registered and liable for service under the Defence Act. From my inspection of the Territorial and Cadet units during the past year I feel confident in stating that the encouraging standard which has been attained in many of the Territorial units is due in no small measure to the individual instruction which nearly all ranks have received during their earlier training with the Cadets. 6. The N.Z. Akmy Kifle Association. The sixth Army rifle meeting was held at Trentham from the 13th to the 16tli March, 1928, in perfect weather. That the popularity o.f the meeting had not declined was apparent in that the entries constituted a record ; and when it is remembered that all the competitors must qualify for entry by good shooting prior to the meeting, its value in raising the standard of weapon training throughout the N.Z. Forces will be realized. The outstanding feature of the 1928 meeting was the improved shooting in the Vickers, Lewis, and Hotchkiss Gun matches, which disclosed a remarkably high standard of training in the leading teams. These automatic weapons now form a most important part of the armament of our Forces, and their use is likely to increase under modern war conditions. It is therefore intended to provide

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