H.—l9.

The special role envisaged for these reservists —that of bringing units in fortress areas to war establishments on mobilization—demands that they should be immediately available and fully trained. The necessity for holding these reservists to the terms of their engagement is therefore of even greater importance than in the case of the Territorial Force. The strength of the Special Reserve is shown in Appendix 11. 5. CADET FORCE. A successful year's training has again been carried out by the Cadet units at secondary schools. Courses were held in all districts dnring the summer vacation for officers and selected noncommissioned officers of cadet units. These courses at the commencement of the school year form a good basis for the training of Cadet units during the year. The opportunity was taken during these courses to instruct selected officers and non-commissioned officers in the newly instituted system of physical training, which has been adopted by many schools. 6. SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION. (a) General. The Army and District Schools of Instruction had been established over twelve months before the commencement of the camping season, and I am more than ever convinced that the instruction being given at these schools is having a most beneficial effect on the efficiency of the Regular and the Territorial Forces. In spite of protracted epidemics of measles at Trentham and Narrow Neck necessitating the cancellation of some courses of instruction, very satisfactory results were obtained, both as regards numbers attending and the standard of efficiency attained. (b) Army School. During the year this school carried out a comprehensive programme of courses. (i) Thirty-two officers and 97 N.C.O.'s and men of the Regular Force received instruction at courses varying in length from one month to seven and one half months. (ii) One hundred and eight recruits for the Royal New Zealand Artillery and 172 for the Royal New Zealand Air Force were trained during the year. (iii) Thirty-seven recruits for the New Zealand Regular Force, other than Royal New Zealand Artillery, are now undergoing instruction. (iv) Twenty-one officers of the Territorial Force attended courses of two weeks' duration for instruction as Adjutants, Intelligence Officers, and junior Staff officers. (v) Seventy-five officers and 149 other ranks of technical arms of the service—viz., Engineers, Signals, Medical, and Dental units—carried out short courses. (vi) Fifty Special Reservists were given three months' training. (c) District Schools. The District Schools established at Narrow Neck, Trentham, and Burnham last year have carried out full programmes. These schools have provided instruction for officers, non-commissioned officers, and men in the various subjects required in all arms. The courses conducted range from tactics for senior officers to recruit courses. The number, including Regular personnel, R.N.Z.A.F. personnel, Special Reservists, and Cadet officers and N.C.O.'s, who have attended courses during the year is 966 officers and 4,305 other ranks. This is an increase of 3,217 all ranks over the number who attended last year. The training of Special Reservists at District Schools was continued. A draft of i2O recruits for the Royal New Zealand Air Force was trained at the District School, Burnham. The training received at District Schools is now having a marked effect on the Territorial Force, the increased efficiency of which was most noticeable during the training in annual camps. 7. FORMATION OF A NATIONAL MILITARY RESERVE. Late in the year the Government authorized the formation of a National Military Reserve, the purpose of which is to provide a readily available reserve to the Territorial Force in a national emergency. This reserve embraces all men between the ages of twenty and fifty-five years who offer their services. With the whole-hearted co-operation of the Post and Telegraph Department registration is proceeding. This Reserve will be organized into three classes : — Class I. —Men twenty to thirty-five years of age who have served in the Territorial Force for at least two years. They are required to bring the Territorial Force up to war establishment on mobilization and to provide it with reinforcements after mobilization. Class II. —Ex-regular and returned soldiers between the ages of thirty-five and fifty-five years of age. This class in an emergency would be used — (а) To augment fortress troops at main ports. (б) To provide garrisons at secondary ports. (c) To protect other vital points. (d) To fill certain appointments on mobilization. Class 111. —Men between the ages of thirty-three and fifty-five years other than Classes I and 11. This class in an emergency would be used— (а) To form a reserve to Classes I and 11. (б) To provide a general reserve from which various units such as defence-works-construction companies, &c., would be formed. (c) For any other purpose for which they may be required.

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