LORD JELLICOE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11786, 24 March 1924, Page 8

LORD JELLICOE

AND THE ACTIVE LIST "NAVY GAZETTE" ON RUMOURED RETIREMENT. "DECIDEDLY PREMATURE." Referring, in a recent issue, to the rumours oi Lord Jellicoe's retirement from the active list of the Navy, "The Army, Navy and Air Forces Gazette" states that they are "decidedly premature/' "As to how long he will remain Governor-General of New Zealand, we can't say (adds the "Gazette"), although it was only in 1920 that he took up this post. But there would seem to be no reason whatever why he Bhould retire from the active list of the Navy just yet. By the change in the regulations affecting Admirals of the Fleet, which was made at the outbreak of the war, these officers, instead of remaining on the active list till they are seventy, must now retire within five years of the date of their promotion, but not before they reach the age of 65. Having been promoted on April 3rd, 1919, Lord Jellicoe will complete nig five years in the spring of this year, but he will not he 65 until December sth, 1924, and has thus nearly another year to run. Since he and Lord Beatty, moreover, were promoted by special Ordere-in-Councif for their war service, and are additional to establishment, their retirements will not cause a vacancy in the' highest rank, promotion to which is at the King's pleasure."