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The functions of the Inspector-General of the Overses Forces should be exercised with due regard to the general system of inspection applicable to an army, this system as carried out consecutively by Regimental Commanders, Commanders of Brigades, General Officers Commanding and local Inspectors-General being of a progressive nature. In every case the object of an inspection is to ascertain the results achieved by the officer responsible for the efficiency of the unit or body of troops concerned. It is the duty of an Inspecting Officer to bring omissions and defects to notice, but this should be done without fettering the initiative or trenching on the responsibility of the Commanding Officer in regard to the training of his men.

In addition to the duties enumerated above, the inspection of the coast defences of a Dominion will be included in the functions of the Inspector-General of the

Oversea Forces.

The Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces would report to the Minister of Defence of the Dominion concerned, forwarding a copy of his report for the information of the Army Council.

Unless specially asked to do so by the Government of a Dominion, it would not be the duty of the Inspector-General to deal with questions of military policy, war organisations, schemes of local defence, the system of education of officers or similar matters, on which the Local Headquarters Section of the Imperial General Staff are responsible for advising their respective governments. His opinion on these subjects would not, until confirmed by competent authority, commit the War Office or His Majesty's Government.

The Chief of the Imperial General Staff being charged by the Secretary of State for War with the military defence of the Empire, with the system of military training and with war organisation, so far as the forces under the control of the Home Government are concerned, it would seem expedient, should the Governments of the Dominions require advice on such matters other than that to be obtained from their local sections of the Imperial General Staff, that application for such advice should be made to the Home Government. Otherwise divergent views may be expressed and confusion may result.

The question of sharing between the Home and Dominion Governments the expenses incurred in connection with visits of inspection of the Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces must be considered; and it is suggested that the following proposal would meet the case :-

The Home Government to be liable for-

Pay of the Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces and his Staff. Passages one way.

Travelling expenses and allowances in the United Kingdom.

The Dominion to be liable for-

Passages one way.

Travelling expenses and allowances in the Dominion.

4. By the 1st November in each year the Inspector-General of the Oversea Forces submits, for the approval of the Army Council, a programme of his inspections during the following year, beginning on the 1st April. In the event of the Govern- ment of a self-governing Dominion desiring that its forces be inspected, it will be convenient that application should be made to the Army Council not later than the 1st August in the year preceding that in which it is desired the inspection should take place.

List of Papers referred to in Paragraph 1.

1. Memorandum on the strategical conditions of the Empire from the military point of view, dated the 14th March, 1907.*

2. Memorandum on possibility of assimilating war organization throughout the Empire, dated the 14th March, 1907.*

3. Imperial General Staff Memorandum, dated the 7th December, 1908.†

4. Proposals for so organizing the Military Forces of the Empire as to ensure their effective co-operation in the event of war, dated the 17th July, 1909.‡

• Laid before the Colonisi Conference, 1907.

↑ Submitted to Governments of Oversea Dominions, December 1908.

Laid before the Colonial Conference, 1909.

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