NAVAL DEFENCE

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1922, Page 11

NAVAL DEFENCE

' *A' MACHINERY MEASURE.

The Naval .Defence. Amendment Bill} introduced in the House of Representatives is. largely a, machinery measure. It enables tho Governor-General to I transfer to the Minister of Defence or any officer of th& naval forces, by warrant, his power to place naval forces on ships or in training ' establishments for training purposes, or to transfer officers,or men U> the Royal, Navy, or accept the transfer of officers or men from ' the Royal Navy.' ■ " . . ' ,' ■.'"••■

The minimum period of enlistment in the naval forces is abolished, and also the stipulation that men under 21 years of age may not enlist for a,period which would extend the period.of their service beyond the time when they reached the age of 30. •

In substitution lor the former provisions relating to the New Zealand Koyal Naval Reserve, the following clause is proposed: "In addition'to the permanent naval forces raised under this A«t there is hereby established a, New Zealand Royal Naval Reserve, consisting of: (a) Men drafted to tho reserve pursuant to this Act; (b) men who have served in the King's Navy, and haye been drafted to the reserve; (c) 'men who, pttreriant to regulations,. enlist for service in'the reserve." ;

Power is given to make regulations on the lines of the powers formerly contained in .the Finance Act of last session.