NAVAL “BATTLE”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11954, 26 May 1933, Page 5

NAVAL “BATTLE”

SEPTEMBER .MANOEUVRES IN ‘’ *'‘ ’ nAURAKI GULP.•. • «

OPERATIONS MAY BE u\' BIG h. .'SCALE. : ' POSSIBLE VISIT OF AUSTRALIAN ' . SQUADRON; (Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 25. A feature of naval training in New Zealand waters thi s year is a possible ■visit to the Dominion in September of tlie Australian Squadron, to carry out a programme of combined exercises and .manoeuvres with the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy. On several occasions in the past the New Zealand cruisers have met tile Australian Navy in tire Tasman, ana have carried out valuable combined training, but if the visit- eventuates this year, it will mark the first occasion. on which combined exercises have been carried out in New Zealand waters.

The exercises will probably take place in the Ilauraki Gulf, and it is hoped that the cruisers Australia and Canberra, together with two destroyers, will make the trip across the Tasman.

* In addition, to the Dunedin and the Diomede, airciart from the Hobsonville air base will take part in tho manoeuvres, and, as in the past, a mock naval battle will probably bo held.

Providing the Australian Squadron makes the trip, the warships are almost certain to call at Auckland, but it is not known whether provision has heen made for visits to southern ports. j

The Imperial sioops Veronica and Laburnum may not take part- in the exercises, as both arc making extend ed Island cruises this year.