OUR NAVAL DIVISION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23061, 11 June 1938, Page 14

OUR NAVAL DIVISION

Words of moment have been spoken by Rear-Admiral Drummond about the personnel of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy He has gratifyingly described the division as an' extremely efficient unit and praised the work of the New Zealand ratings, which has shown that the official hope of eventually manning the division entirely with New Zealanders is not idle. As to whether the division may yet have a large proportion of New Zealand officers as well, he has spoken in a strain similarly encouraging; there seems to be no reason, in his opinion, why New Zealanders of proper qualifications should not be entered in the Royal Navy for training as officers. His description of the possibility of this development is helpfully instructive. First, there is suitable officer-material in the Dominion; second, encouragement to develop the proper qualifications is already provided, the New Zealand authorities being eager to assist by giving opportunity foxentry ; third, trainees can be sent to Great Bi-itain for the requisite coui-ses and experience. Upon the last point emphasis should be insistently laid. Rear-Admiral Drummond well expresses an expert belief when he says that service on two cruisers, no matter how complete and thorough it may be, is inadequate. To submit to the normal procedxire in England is far preferable. Full heed shoxild be given, especially by young men with a desire for a naval career as officers, to all that has thus been said. The Dominion, it is certain, wishes to contribxxte as fully as possible to the personnel of the Royal Navy, if only in return, for what the personnel of the Royal Navy has done for the Dominion. To translate this general wish into terms of individual service is greatly desirable..