2026 THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [No. 55

would be made that the “ New Zealand ” should visit the Dominion in October next to make a three months’ stay (extending over Christmas) in New Zealand ports before taking up her duties with the Home Fleet. My Government intimated, in reply, that the “ New Zealand ” should be stationed where the Home Government was of opinion her services would be of the most value.

In regard to defence, you will be gratified to know that during the past year a large proportion of the youths liable for service under the training scheme have been posted to units of the Territorial Force.

Camps have been held throughout the Dominion for all units of the Territorial Army.

A very high percentage of attendance has been obtained, and the results of the training may be looked upon as most satisfactory. The conduct of the men has been exemplary; the aptitude for military work shown by them, and the spirit in which they have entered into it, have been most gratifying.

The training of the Senior Cadets, in face of considerable difficulties, has made good progress.

Arms and equipment have been issued to all units of the Force, and all ranks have been clothed in the new khaki uniform now universally adopted.

In the future persons not required for the Territorial Forces will be posted to the rifle clubs, which, it is hoped, will become an efficient second line of defence to the Territorial Army.

More rifles have been ordered for the use of rifle clubs, and the admission of these clubs to a fuller share in the defence of the country is hailed with satisfaction.

New field-guns to replace those of obsolete pattern hitherto in use in the Dominion are now on their way to the country, and their arrival may shortly be expected.

Great assistance has been rendered to the Defence Department by employers of labour, farmers, landowners, and all classes of the community in granting facilities to their employees to attend parades and camps, and by placing grounds, &c., at the disposal of the military authorities.

My Advisers deemed it necessary that inquiry should be made into the cost of living, also into matters affecting the education system, and the efficiency of the unclassified Departments of the Civil Service. For these purposes Commissions were appointed, and their reports will be duly placed before you.

The settlement of Crown lands and of estates acquired under the Land for Settlements Act has been steadily prosecuted, and shows satisfactory results. During the past year a greater area of land has been purchased than during the preceding twelve months, and every endeavour has been made to survey Crown lands and subdivide the areas still available for disposal where they are suitable for settlement.

The sustained demand for land is rapidly exhausting the balance of the Crown estate, so that a vigorous prosecution of the policy of acquiring privately owned and Native land for closer-settlement purposes is absolutely necessary, and will be given effect to.

Since the passing of the Native Land Act, 1909, considerable progress has been made in the settlement and opening up of Native land. Over a million acres have been alienated to the Crown and private persons since the coming into operation of the Act, and at the present time three-quarters of a million acres are under survey.

To obviate the delay that has been experienced in obtaining surveys of lands after they have been dealt with by the Native Land Court, it is intended to expedite such surveys by allowing the Maori Land Boards to arrange work by private contract.

The agricultural industry has never presented more encouraging prospects in the history of the Dominion. Our fertile lands are being more closely settled every year. The country in occupation is being cultivated to greater advantage, thereby increasing the individual and national wealth. Our farmers are passing the stage when they depended solely upon the natural fertility of the soil, and are coming to realize and appreciate more fully the importance of the application of scientific treatment to their lands.