THE RASP CLUB

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 15 April 1939, Page 14

THE RASP CLUB

a j ADDRESS ON MERCANTILE 11 MARINE 11 I. j INTERESTING EXPERIENCES - At the last meeting of the Rasp Club ? an interesting address on the Mercanr tile Marine was delivered by Mr A. K. • Griffiths. The speaker compared the r conditions of apprenticeship of thirty or more years ago with those of the • present day. pointing out the effects on ? a man’s character when trained in a harder school and under trying conditions. The club was particularly interested 5 in Mr Griffiths’ experiences in the Mediterranean and North Seas during the Great War when he was serving on fast motor launches which were hunting enemy submarines. These fast boats, with the aid of hy--5 draphones for detecting the presence of 1 submarines, destroyed many enemy - craft, and were also of great assistance in convoying merchant ships during 5 the latter part of the war. The speed - of these small launches enabled them to continuously circle round the convoy • as it steamed along making it extremely difficult for submarines to get close • enough to attack. " The value of such craft in the defence of New Zealand was mentioned, and it was decided that the formation of a fleet of fast torpedo launches such as . those used by the British Navy would [ , be a swift and practicable means of se- > curing a first line of defence for this l country. There is no possibility of New Zea- . land being in a position to maintain a I navy large enough to defend her long : unprotected coast, but such a “hornet 1 fleet” would be well within our means, ' sr *d the presence of such a fleet would . be a strong deterrent to raiding cruis--5 ers or landing forces. Mr Griffiths ’ here mentioned that these fast boats 1 were feared by cruisers, for besides of- ; fering only a tiny target, they carry a ’ number of torpedoes and were therep Core able to attack any class of war- ‘ ship. Mr E. Woods made the valuable sug- ’ gestion that the hull for these vessels could b e built in New Zealand, and moved that the construction of a fleet of such torpedo boats should be proceeded with without delay. It was de- : cided to pass a copy of this motion to . the Defence League for presentation to 1 the proper quarters. R.N.V.R. Mr Griffiths also described his activities in connection with the formation of , •? branch of the Royal Naval Volunteer I Reserve in Nelson. The object of the 1 organisation is to give young men a • thorough training in seamanship, the 5 handling of small guns, and altogether • to create a supply of trained men who could on an emergency man coastal defence craft. Very active branches already existed it the four main centres and there is no leason why a branch should not be formed in Nelson. The training in tht R N.V.R. is very interesting, and appeals to most young men. and already 52 have signed up in Nelson. SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT The Rasp Club decided to actively support the movement and quite a number of members offered their services. Mr Griffiths expressed his pleasure at the support offered, and stated that if official approval could only be secured a particularly strong branch of the R N.V.R. could be formed in Nelson. It is understood that Mr Griffiths \v ould be glad to hear from other young men who are interested—particularly those from, say, age 18 to 27. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Griffiths at the conclusion of his talk, and various speakers congratulated him on the work he and his colleagues have already done, and wished them every success in their ef- j forts.