NEW ZEALAND’S NAVY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 August 1924, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND’S NAVY.

COMMODORE, BEAL'S REPORT. ‘ Ihe report of the commodore and naval adviser on the New Zealand fetation, Commodore Alister Beal, was presented to Parliament last wee it. Ju regard to the base at Auckland, it was intended that a tank for the storage of oil fuel should have been completed during the last financial year, but this lias been rendered impossible by the delay in obtaining tenders, etc. The contract for the tank is signed, and the material should arrive at Auckland, together with the necessary fittings. The erection of the tank will be undertaken by the Public \\ orks Department. Lt is proposed to provide for a second oil tank in this year’s Estimates. All delects and alterations and additions to H.M. ships have been made good by the ship’s labour with the resources of the Auckland Harbour Hoard's workshops attached to the Calliope Dock at Devonport. The subsidy of £SOOO a year hitherto paid by the Admiralty is now paid bv the New Zealand Government, and this ensures H.M. ships priority in the use of the dock and workshops. This arrangenient is most economical, and the repairs to H.M. ships are carded out at a cost of —(l) the material actually used; (b) the actual out-of-pocket expenses ot the Auckland Harbour Bjoard while the ships are in dock; and (c) a proportion of the £SOOO referred to abov4.

Recruiting for tlie New Zealand Division is progressing but slowly, and arrangements have- been made by which a naval recruiter (a pensioner Master-at-Arms) will shortly tour the Dominion as an experiment. Coloured posters '"ill be displayed and booklets on ‘‘How to Join the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy” will, by the courtesy of the Postal Department, be available in all Post Offices. These steps, together with the visit of the Special Service Squadron, will, it is hoped, result in a larger number of recruits being obtained. The Commodore adds:' “I hold a very high opinion of the qualities dismayed by the recruits entered'in New Zealand, and have no doubt whatever that this Dominion will in: time provide a personnel second to none in discipline, efficiency, and esprit de corps. The men are keen, of fine physique, and they show exemplary behaviour, and take a pride in their ship and in their work.” ’

The enrolment of men in the Royal Naval Reserve has been too small, the total so far being only 138. lt is hoped within the next few months to obtain sanction for the necessary regulations to govern the enrolment of officers in the reserve, arid then to commence the entry of such members as will be required for auxiliary services in time of war. The Commodore says: “It is my considered opinion that the best procedure as regards ratings entered in New Zealand is for them to undergo preliminary training locally, and then to send to England all who can be recommended for specialist courses. This method possesses many advantages. It ensures that the men receive up-to-date training as taught in accordance with the latest ideas obtaining in the British Fleet and the schools at Home, it enables them to gain acquaintance with all phases of naval life, ivhilst the contact and comradeship with petty officers and men of the E'leet in Home waters and at the schools enables them instinctively to absorb the traditions and esprit de corps of the British Navy. At first sight it may appear that the cost entailed by sending men to England is an extravagance, but the expense is small in comparison to the alterantive of establishing and maintaining schools of instruction in New Zealand, and even were this latter couires adopted the instruction imparted could not compare with that which can be given to the men in England.”

The sum voted for naval defence last year was £339,397, and the amount spent was £285,723. The estimates for the current year are £330,465.