NAVAL RESERVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 42, 19 February 1926, Page 10

NAVAL RESERVES.

.' 5 i SEA CADET. CORPS. ,-; ; ■ \," •_: ? ■ ■ ■■ /;;":. navy league support. '\\ - ■~~ ~" ■ % ■ CBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) ' : \ DUNEDIN, Thursday.- '. :The formation of naval reserves for men over the age of 18 years and the institution of a sea cadet corps for vouth'g under that age who preferred naval drill to military training? wer strongly sup . ported at the Xavy League Conference to-day. The proposal was that the reserves should be formed in every main, port of the Dominion and that cadets should be transferred to the reserve on completion of cadet training. The proposals came from the Auckland and Canterbury branches respectively. . • ". Mr. C. H. Palmer, of ; Auckland, outlined the position regarding the reserve (class D), in Auckland and stated that valuable training was being carried out. The public of.Auckland were enthusiastic. Two companies of reserves were now being .trained and an appeal for 60 j-e----criiits for another company to be formed shortly' had received 90 replies. The reserves would have to be formed first a.s.. if the sea cadet companies were formed before the reserves the boys might not have facilities for continuing their training...... The trawler recently purchased by the Government would arrive in, the Dominion next month, fully equipped for the training of reserves. The reservists in Auckland were taking gunnery practice on the warships Dunedin arid. Diomede. • -, ;.. The military authorities, it was stated, Were agreeable to naval training forming part of the military programme. The boys woijld receive instruction as cadets ■which would fit them! ior service as coastguards or on local patrol and harbour- defence duties in time of war and ■would supply recruits to the Royal Navy. It was pointed' out that the late Mr. Massey and Earl' Jellicoe were sympathetic toward the movement which could, not be- commenced until retired naval officers- in the various centres cooperated. . : ! • The Government is to be. approached in the matter.