STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20128, 16 July 1914, Page 5

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER.

WELLINGTON, July 15. Speaking to a reporter on the subject of the taking over by tba New Zealand Government of H.M'.S. Philomel, the Hon. James Allen said that Captain Hall-Thompson had reported to Mm that morning. He hoped that membe's of Parliament would shortly visit the ship and see for themselves what class of vessel she is. Considerable progress iiad been made in the direction of drafting regulations, some of which had already been agreed to, but it must be remembered that they had to deal not only with colonials, who .might crater into the scheme, but with the men from the Imperial Navy who formed' the nucleus of the crew. When the regulations had been finally approved, applications would be invited for recruits, s\nd officers, tunl he woa ■ ■pleased' ■**) be able to state that already a great man,y applications hind been received. There would be no delay whatever in bringing the scheme into operation. The work of preparation was being carried out as rapidly as possible. There might, he added, be some delay in regaa'd to the training of officers, because he had no definite answer from the Commonwealth as to the suggestion tfiat New Zealand officers should undergo training in the Australian Naval College. It wfiis chiefly a. miafcter of (accommodation, and he understood that the Commonwealth was establishing new quarters. He had no doubt, he added, that iliQ Commonwealth would assist New Zealand in the matter as far as lay in its power.