CONTROL OF SHIPS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1940, Page 6

CONTROL OF SHIPS

0 F N. Z. NAY A L DIVISION

(Per Press Association —Copyright)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 4.

The degree of control exercised by the New Zealand Government over ships of the New Zealand division of the Royal Navy at present was defined by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) in an interview to-day. “In accordance with a long-standing agreement with the British Government, we handed over to the Admiralty when the war began the two in the New Zealand Division, H.M.S. Achilles, and H.M.S. Leander,” 'Mr Jones said. “Although these ships are under the control of'the Admiralty for the duration of the war, their move, ments are always determined and directed in consultation w r ith the New Zealand Government.”

The Minister explained that while the cruisers were now acting as units of the Royal Navy questions of pay and conditions in them came under the New Zealand regulations. As far as other naval units, such as minesweepers and the various auxiliaries were concerned, they remained under full New Zealand control, and the Dominion’s regulations applied to those on hoard. Only the two cruisers had been handed over to the Admiralty. It was absolutely essential to effective naval operations that the utmost cooperation and co-ordination should be established, and that could only be done when there was one directing authority. The applied to the whole of the British Commonwealth.

pea-red fantastic, he could not read into it anything subversive. Mr Holland said that he had been grossly misrepresented by Mr Lee. He had paid repeated tributes to the workers of New Zealand. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. Lee Martin, characterised the Opposition’s criticism of the Regulations as unfair. He said the manner in which they have operated showed that the Government was receiving its fullest co-operation from the dairying industry. Mr W. J. Poison (Nat., Stratford), said the War Regulations should be closely watched. What the country wanted from the Government at present was leadership in making the utmost effort so that this war could be won. The debate was continuing at midnight. The Attorney-General (Hon. H. G. R. Mason'), briefly replied to the debate, and the House rose at 12.4-s

THE COUNCIL. WELLINGTON, Dec. 4

The Small Farms Amendment Bill ivas passed to-day by the Legislative Council after a debate which lasted intil 10 p.m.

the majority of the speakers ex mossed their appreciation of the GovTninent’s action in introducing this fill. Where there was any criticism t was confined to specific points.

A suggestion was made by two speakers that the men serving in the mercantile marine should be included in the definition of “returned soldier.’ Hon. W. Perry claimed that the right ol appeal should be allowed, as its removal was a serious inroad no constitutional methods. He promised the co-operation of the soldiers of the last war in the settlement of younger men.

Other measures read the first time were the Mokau Harbour Tin 11 and the Sea Carriage of Goods Bill.