NAVAL TRAINEES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24776, 28 November 1941, Page 6

NAVAL TRAINEES

SEA CADET CORPS PRIME MINISTER'S PRAISE Recognition of the contribution made by naval organisations .in New Zealand in preparing boys and men for posts in the navy was expressed by the Prime Minis-ter,-Mr Fraser, during a visit he paid last night to the training quarters of the Dunedin Navy League Sea Cadet Corps. He said that anv organisation that helped to strengthen the navy to fight for the freedom of democracy in the world was deserving of all the recognition and assistance that could be extended to it. " The Government has a very keen appreciation of the necessity for boys in an island country like New Zealand, with its long coastline, to become familiar with everything that nertains to the sea." Mr Fraser said. "While in Britain I met many New Zealand lads undergoing naval training, and as a type they were spoken of in the highest terms by their instructors. "It is interesting to know that some New Zealanders, including Lieutenantcommander P. G. Connolly, of Dunedin, are playing their part in escorting convoys through one of the most dangerous parts of the English Channel, where bombing is almost their daily ration," Mr Fraser continued. " New Zealand's sons of the sea are courageous, enterprising, and dependable, and we have every reason to be as proud of them as we are of our brave soldiers in the Middle East and our airmen." ~..■, . ' T The Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, said he recently said farewell to four New Zealand naval cadets, who were going to England to become commissioned officers for the Royal New Zealand Navy. There were now 10 such trainees in England, and if the Sea Cadet Corps could produce any more of them the country as a whole would be grateful to it. The commanding officer of the unit, Commander F. Fraser, R.N.V.R., said there were 80 boys between the ages of 14 and 17 in the corps, which had produced 30 naval trainees, who were either overseas or training in Auckland. Mr J. Sutherland Ross, president of the Otago branch of the Navy League, said it took three years for the corps to gain official recognition. The only other organisation of its kind was operating in Christchurch, but it was hoped that more would soon be formed. All the cadets had not yet received uniforms, and the corps was eagerly awaiting further supplies of uniforms and equipment. The Ministers inspected the parade, and as they left they were accorded three cheers.