H.—l9.

(e) Territorial Force Associations. During the year a large number of Territorial Force Associations have either been actually formed or have continued their activities. I cannot stress too strongly the importance of this association of the community in general with the Territorial Force, not only in assisting in various concrete matters, such as provision of sporting material, but in keeping the existence and welfare of the Forces before the eyes of the public ; as is the case with the Territorial Associations in England, these public bodies can do so much to foster the general welfare, prestige, and recruiting of our citizen army. My sincere thanks are extended to all members of the N.Z. Territorial Force Associations who have given their time and effort so willingly. One matter, in particular, in which associations can help is the arranging with employers to grant leave to men to attend camps. In the past year there were many cases where men were loth to apply for and some cases where employers were reluctant to grant it; actually this factor was in part responsible for the percentage of attendance at camps not being so high as was desirable. I fully realize the difficulties with which employers are faced ; but, on the other hand, their co-operation is essential, and it is in acting as a link between employers and the officers of the Department that the Territorial Force Associations can sometimes help so greatly. 4. CADETS. (a) General. _ Cadets are now confined to corps from secondary schools, practically all colleges and high schools maintaining battalions or companies. The standard is higher than ever before. This is due in part to the increase in the number of Cadet specialist sections —Artillery, Engineers, Vickers Gun, and Medical Corps. Besides making the work more interesting, these sections will, in time, serve' as a valuable recruiting-ground for the Territorial Force. Several Cadet units carried out barrack training at no expense to the Department. I am grateful to the staffs of all secondary schools for the willing way in which they have co-operated with my officers, both in running barracks and in the general work throughout the year. The strength of the Cadet Force is shown in Appendix I. The Earl Roberts Imperial Cadet Trophy competition (an Empire competition) for 1931 was won by the Mount Albert Grammar School Cadets with a score of 306. As the next team in order of merit secured only 290 points, this indicates an outstanding performance on the part of the winners against Cadets in all parts of the Empire. (b) Regimental Ca'det Detachments. With the object of ensuring continuity in training in the case of Cadets who leave school before reaching the age of eighteen years, and who wish to join the Territorial Force, a regimental Cadet detachment for each Territorial unit has been authorized, the strength of which is not to exceed 20 per cent, of the parent unit. 5. N.Z. ARMY RIFLE ASSOCIATION. Owing to financial considerations, it was again not possible to hold the annual meeting of the Army Rifle Association. 6. RIFLE CLUBS. Since my last report the membership of Rifle Clubs has increased by 200, and there are five mors clubs. Owing to the increasing strength of the Territorial Force, it was found necessary to withdraw the free loan of rifles to reservists of the Territorial Force who are members of Rifle Clubs, and to cease the special free issue of 300 rounds of ammunition to such members on their joining clubs, but as a special concession these members were permitted to purchase rifles on time-payment. All new members still receive a free issue of 200 rounds on joining, 250 rounds when they fire the necessary classification course, and a further fifty rounds on qualifying as marksmen. There has been some objection to the quality of the ammunition supplied to Rifle Clubs, but in the interests of economy it was not practicable to supply new ammunition and leave on the Department's hands the older make. The National Rifle Association held its annual meeting at Trentham in March last. 7. DEFENCE WORKS, MOBILIZATION DEPOTS, TRAINING-CAMPS, RIFLE RANGES, AND OFFICE PREMISES. Generally, these are in fair condition. Only urgent repairs have been carried out during the year. This means that the normal maintenance work is accumulating. Rifle ranges have all been inspected iti accordance with the new regulations regarding safety precautions, and I regret to report that it has been necessary, in the interests of public safety, to close down several ranges.

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