ADMIRAL LORD TOVEY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25089, 22 January 1947, Page 6

ADMIRAL LORD TOVEY

VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON, Jan. 21. Visiting various countries of the Empire after many years of sailoring, is the pleasant way of countering the housing shortage in Great Britain adopted by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Tovey» G.C.8., K.8.E., D.S.O, who, with Lady Tovey, was a passenger in the Wanganella from Sydney Though no longer a serving Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Tovey retains the title as, he said, is customary also in the case of air chief marshals and field marshals.

In South Africa, Lord and Lady Tovey travelled 12,000 miles in four months. In Australia they stayed at a number of sheep and cattle stations, including some in the wild kangaroo country. In Tasmania, they wete the guests of the Governor, Admiral Sir Hugh Binney. Lord Tovey has nephews and nieces in New Zealand. They are the children of the late Dr. A. H. Tovey, who came to New Zealand in 1913, and practised in Tauranga and elsewhere.

While disclaiming official knowledge of what is happening to-day in the Royal Navy, Admiral Tovey said that extensive improvements in naval barracks were being carried out at bases, and as housing construction problems perrsitted, accommodation was being made available for married men. Progress here, however, was slow. The Admiralty had brought down a scheme whereby the wives and families of naval personnel could secure cheap §assages to foreign stations, including outh Africa, and, possibly, the Mediterranean. This was appropriate at present, because for some years to come the strategic requirements of the Navy would make it essential for an undue proportion of its personnel to serve overseas.