H.—l9.

4

(c) Recruiting. The present strength of the Territorial Force is shown in Appendix I. As in the preceding year, the postings to the Territorial Force in June, 1929, were carried out on the basis of selecting for training in the Force those youths who were of the highest physical standard. The 1929 quota consisted, therefore, of the best physically developed lads available who were living within the prescribed training radius—i.e., three miles of an established drill centre. It was necessary, under this system, to eliminate a number of lads who but for the limited number required would have been required to train. The following return shows the number of rejections from the Territorial Force at the June, 1929, postings for the reasons stated : — (i) Cadets available for posting to the Territorial Force 11,009 (ii) Rejected on account of better physically developed recruits being available to fill establishment .. 342 (3-11 per cent.) (iii) Permanently unfit .. .. .. .. 595 (5-4 per cent.) (iv) Temporarily unfit .. .. .. .. 233 (2-11 per cent.) (v) Posted to Non-effective List on account of living beyond the training radius .. .. .. 4,527 (41-12 per cent.) (vi) Posted to Non-effective List for other reasons .. 7 ( 0-06 per cent.) Those enumerated in (ii), (v), and (vi) were not medically examined. The percentage of medically unfit, whether permanently or temporarily, to the number medically examined was 13-5 per cent. (d) General. I wish to bring to your notice the excellent spirit that exists in our Territorial Force. I think the general public do not realize the interest, willingness, and effort that all ranks put into their training, especially in camp. I cannot speak too highly of the behaviour and general bearing of the officers and men of our New Zealand Army. The standard of training reached during 1928-29 has been maintained during the past year, and in view of the ever-increasing need for technical training in all arms of the service, I am satisfied that the instruction given has been both efficient and thorough. Statements have recently been made to the effect that the organization and training of the Territorial Force are obsolete and inefficient, and that no attention is paid to keeping up to date with modern developments. My reply is that both our organization and system of training are based upon those of the regular Army at Home, with which very close touch is maintained, and that they are thoroughly in keeping with the most modern ideas. I should welcome any investigation by qualified critics in these matters. In March the Government decided, on the grounds of economy, that no further Territorial units should go into camp during the current training year. This action affected the following units : The Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry, Queen Alexandra's Mounted Rifles, The Otago Mounted Rifles, The Manawatu Mounted Rifles, The Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles, The Nelson-Marlborough Mounted Rifles, 3rd Field Battery, and Central Depot, New Zealand Medical Corps. 4. CADETS. The strength of the Cadets is now over 33,000. In spite of the steady increase in numbers, much valuable instruction has been given during the year, and the syllabus of training introduced a year ago is proving its worth. The special value of the Cadet Force lies in its functions as a recruiting pool for the Territorial Force, and the training received by a boy during his Cadet service is mainly designed to enable him quickly to take his place in a Territorial unit as a trained soldier. In this connection I would draw attention to my remarks in my report for the year ending 31st May, 1929. In the Imperial Challenge Shields Competition for 1929, New Zealand entered 13,147 Cadets, as compared with 4,726 in 1928. This great increase was made possible only by the hearty co-operation of all concerned, including the Cadets themselves, the secondary-schools authorities, and the instructors. Very encouraging comments on New Zealand's efforts in this competition have been made by the Executive of the National Rifle Association at Home. The trophy presented by Earl Jellicoe for competition in New Zealand was won by " A " Company, 2nd (Cadet) Battalion, the Auckland Regiment (Auckland Grammar School). The Campbell Statuette Competition was won by " A " Company, sth (Cadet) Battalion, the Auckland Regiment. 5. SAMOA MILITARY POLICE. In February last the Government decided to organize another Force of Military Police for service in Samoa. The Force, consisting of ten officers and 240 other ranks, was raised at short notice under similar conditions to those which applied to the Military Police Force sent to Samoa in 1928, and underwent special training at Trentham Camp under instructors of the Permanent Forces, from the 14th February to the 14th March, when, owing to the settlement of the trouble in Samoa, it was decided not to despatch the Force, which was consequently disbanded. This Force, which had been recruited from all parts of the Dominion, was composed of a splendid type of young manhood, the majority of whom had had previous military training. After their course of training at Trentham, their appearance and standard of training was of a very high order, and reflected