NAVAL DEFENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 205, 31 July 1939, Page 3

NAVAL DEFENCE

YEAR IN REVIEW. PROGRESSIVE POLICY. WELLINGTON, July, 29. “I would lay stress on the fact that a great deal lias been done during the past year to implement the policy oi consolidating the elements (such as repair training and storing facilities) essential to effective progress in the evolution of a naval service,” states Commodore H. E. Horan, Chief of the Naval Staff, in his annual report which was presented in the House ol Representatives yesterday. “The administrative machine has also been adjusted to meet the demands of a forward policy. Progress is restricted in some directions by lack of qualified staff, but steps have been taken to build up the organisation ou sound lines by laying plans for the development of a. post-recruit training centre, for the extension of recreation facilities, for the reconstruction of the depot ship for the entry of officers, and for the appointment of a professional civilian staff.” The report states that careful consideration had been given to the question of entering New Zealand candidates lor service as commissioned officers in the New Zealand naval forces. A policy had been worked out, and it was hoped that an announcement, would be made in due course. At March .‘3l this year, the report continues, there were seven officers, and GSB ratings on the active list, all of whom, except IG, had been entered or recruited in New Zealand. The overall increase of New Zealand rattings during the year was 51. The ships’ companies were completed by 72 officers and Gl9 ratings loaned front the Imperial Service. “The ratings entered during the year included 44 boys and nine short-service ordinary seamen for the seaman and communication branches, 30 stokers and 16 ratings for miscellaneous branches, making a total of 99,” the report states. “Recruiting has continued to be very satisfactory in the seaman and stoker branches, but it has not been possible to attract to the service fully qualified tradesmen for the artificer and artisan branch. A proposal to introduce a scheme for the training of naval apprentices has been held in abeyance owing to lack of accommodation at the base. I lie matter is, however, being looked into following upon a decision to investigate the possibility of building a tramino establishment at Devonport. “A total of 61 New Zealand ratings took their dischange during the year. A large number of New Zealand ratings was sent to the schools of the Royal Australian Navy, and a very limited number of naval schools in the United Kingdom for special courses of instruction in technical subjects. The interchange of New Zealand and Royal Navy ratings in the respective services under a scheme introduced in 1935 was abandoned owing to the administrative difficulties involved and to the lact that the scheme absorbed man-power which could be more usefully employed at the present time. An opportunity was, however, given to a limited number of outstanding ratings of the New Zealand Naval Forces to servo in ships of the Royal Navy for periods of approximately 12 months.”