THE NAVAL RESERVE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20271, 3 June 1929, Page 12

THE NAVAL RESERVE.

OPENING OF NEW BASE.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL OFFICIATES

GRATIFIED AT DEVELOPMENT.

"You in Auckland aro flu; pioneers, and it is f"f you to keep up tho standard of smartni'S"* ami efficiency," said tho Gov-ernor-General, Sir Charles Fergussoii, in a brief lit inspiring address to tho ofliecrs and men of tho Auckland division of tho I!oy:d Naval Volunteer llescrvo in officially opening the new headquarter:; and training liaso of tho rcscrvo in St. Mary's I'i.y on Saturday afternoon. The occasion was one of importance, not only to Auckland particularly, but to Mew Zealand generally, as tho base is the first of lis kind to bo. established iu tho Dominion. The growth of the movement in New Zealand and tho hopes for yet greater "Jeve'o/uient were explained by C'Oinmi d >ro <!. T. <l'. Kwabey, of tho Now Zealand Pi vim-mi of tho J.'ova I Navy,, in asking l'us Excellency to declare tho 1 ;>::■» o.Ticially open. '.n.ero had been a strong feeling shortly after the conclusion of tho war that divisions of tho reserve should bo formed in New Zealand, said tho commodore, but it was not until 1925 that tho Govern ment gavo its approval tu tho proposal How rapidly tho movement had since grown was shown bv the fact that tho strength of tho Auckland division was 26 officers and 260 men. Last yeai two companies had been formed n> Wellington, and ono each in Christchurch and Dunedin, making the total strength of tho reserve in New Zealand 70 officers and-GOO men. Efficiency and Keenness. Tho division was fortunate in having tho services of New - Zealand men who had served in tho war, continued tho com modoro. The reservo was indebted to tho Auckland Harbour Board, which had placed tho necessary land at the disposal of tho Government, which had sanctioned tho expenditure of £IOOO for the erection of tho building being opened that day. It was hoped eventually to establish similar headquarters in other New Zealand ports. "My experience of tho reservo in tho last three years has shown mo that tho officers and men aro efficient and keen, and are fully imbued with the sea sense," concluded tho commodore.

"I am very glad beforo leaving Auckland to bo able to show my. interest in something which must interest us all," said Ilis Excellency. Ho was pleased that his term of offico had seen tho development of such an important branch of His Majesty's Forces, and his only rogrot was that tho movement had not taken moro definite shapo during tho term of his predecessor, Lord Jelhcoe, whose personal touch would havo been an immense inspiration. Sir Charles felt suro that Lord Jollicoe would be very gratified to know of the development that had taken place. Finest Service in the World.

"Each ono of you is a member of the finest' service in the world—tho British Navy," continued His Excellency, in stressing tho point that British people had always been a raco of seafaring men, and it was pleasing to observe that the traditions of the sea were being' kept up in New Zealand. One phase that was apt to be overlooked Sir Charles said he wished to emphasise. That was that it should bo remembered Ft was a privilege to wear tho'King's uniform, and it behoved those so privileged to givo an example of good citizenship. "Do not put off your responsibilities when you put off your uniform." urged Sir Charles. Congratulating the officers of.tho reserve on tho success of the movement, His Excellency pointed out that tho members of tho Auckland reserve wero > tho pioneers and should, therefore, maintain the standard of smartness and efficiency. Tlio Auckland division enjoyed advantages which ought to make it the most efficient and best-exampled in tho Dominion, for no other division had headquarters on tho front. Concluding, His Excellency said that when next ho had the honour of writing to tho King, ho would inform His Majesty, a sailor himself, of tlio great development of the reserve in New Zealand. At tho call of Captain I<\ A. Hull, officer-commanding the Auckland division' fhrco cheers wero given for His Excellency. Tho Governor-General mado a close inspection ol tlio headquarters before departing.