SEA CADET CORPS SYSTEM

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26727, 10 May 1952, Page 6

SEA CADET CORPS SYSTEM

MINISTER ANNOUNCES EXPANSION UNITS TO BE FORMED IN 15 SCHOOLS (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 9. The sea cadet system in New Zealand is to be expanded. Subject to the concurrence of headmasters, sea cadet units will be established in 15 secondary schools, and the Naval Board will give additional help in the training of the 481 officers and cadets of the existing New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps. This decision was announced to-day by the Minister of Defence (Mr T. L. Macdonald). The present sea cadets, known as the “open” units, are organised and run by the New Zealand Navy League. They were officially recognised by the Naval Board in 1942, and granted privileges, travel facilities, uniforms, and assistance with their camps. These units will continue under the auspices of the Navy League, but will be further assisted in three ways. First, uniforms will be issued free to all officers and cadets in the same way as to Army and Air Force cadets, instead of being lent, as at present. Second, officers, while on courses of instruction at annual camps or embarked for sea training in New Zealand warships, will be victualled, paid out-of-pocket travelling expenses, and receive pay according to the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve pay scale. Third, special courses, camps, and sea training will be arranged for sea cadets in New Zealand warships and naval establishments, and out-of-pocket travelling expenses to and from courses or camps will be paid to cadets. While,in naval establishments or New Zealand warships, sea cadets will be the responsibility of the Royal New Zealand Navy, and the existing requirement for the signing of a form of indemnity by the parent will be waived.

New School Units The new secondary school units, or closed” units, will be administered by the Royal New Zealand Navy, and will form part of the existing cadet organisation.

Already three Auckland schools have sea cadet units. In addition, two more units will be established in Auckland, and at 10 schools in Wel--111^ on ’ Christchurch, and Dunedin. The Auckland schools’ sea cadet training has been most successful. In a year, each of the three Auckland schools has provided a cadet for officer training in the Royal New Zealand Navy.

With the approval of the headmasters concerned, it is proposed by the Navy to take over the three school cadet units already established in Auckland, and to establish two other school units there, as well as four units in Wellington, four in Christchurch, and two in Dunedin. The decision to limit the Initial school establishments to the main centres was made so that school cadets would be in a position, on leaving school, to continue their training with the divisions of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. Membership of school cadet units will be limited to 30 each, and will be strictly competitive. If it is possible, headmasters will be asked to nominate teachers with previous naval experience to command school units, but if this is impracticable, teachers may be recommended by headmasters for training and commissioning in the special branch of the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve. Regular naval instructors will be made available to assist with the training of both the school sea cadets and those in the “open” units.