Mr Connolly Seeks 600 R.N.Z.N.V.R. Volunteers

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 14

Mr Connolly Seeks 600 R.N.Z.N.V.R. Volunteers

The Minister of Defence 'Mr Connolly) hopes that many young men will re-engage for service in the Royal New Zealand Nava! Volunteer Reserve on May 1 when compulsory military training has ended. He said this when ihe addressed the ship's company .after an inspection of H M N Z S .Pegasus in Christchurch last ‘evening. • "As from May 1. the Volunteer Reserve will revert to its original irole as a purely voluntary organisation,” Mr Connolly said. “I have always felt proud of the reservists who came forward right .at the beginning of World War II 'because they were trained in case 'of hostilities or any other threat to freedom. The motto on a .plaque I have seen this evening .reads; ‘Not for one s self but for lone’s country'.’ There is no finer 1 ideal. “When the change-over comes. I hope that we will be able to provide more funds so that the reserve will have more sea time, more sport, and more of other activities of special interest. Enthusiasts Wanted I "I hope we reach our goal of '6OO in the four divisions; but, personally, I would rather have 300 (enthusiasts than 600 including some who don’t really care. I hope that many young men now in the reserve under compulsory military training and others, too. will give serious consideration to joining from May 1. I promise that they will not be disappointed.”

Mr Connolly said that as a member who joined the Otago division nearly 30 years ago—and the commanding officer of Pegasus ‘Captain J. N. Allan! was a shipmate then—he could frankly say that there he found his closest friends. “It is stimulating to see here that the work is still being carried on so efficiently,” he said. One of the good things about compulsory military training was that it drew young men together from all walks of life. “Your generation has probably had better conditions, higher wages, and more opportunities than any before,” Mr Connolly said. “I hope that many of you will feel that volunteering for the reserve is one way in which your country can be given something in return. “Irrespective of what numbers volunteer, the reserve divisions will carry on.” Mr Connolly said “This is a day of specialisation and new methods of defence are causing reorientation of our thinking about the armed forces; but the Navy is likely to be least affected in its present role. For that reason volunteer reserve training is most important.” Mr Connolly spent two hours inspecting the 120 officers and ratings at divisions and at classes Throughout his tour he showed intense professional interest springing from his own reserve and war-time service in the Navy. He questioned dozens of ratings about their work and their thoughts about re-engaging. “Some of you were a little shy or nervous in your answers,” the Minister said. “Don’t ever be shv, again.” he urged. "New Zealand and its Naval Volunteer Reserve have a great name and nobody i need be afraid of saying so.” i