INCREASING NEW ZEALAND'S NAVY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13179, 11 February 1936, Page 7

INCREASING NEW ZEALAND'S NAVY.

1000 NEW ZEALAND RATINGS. Electrics Telegraph—*‘-Press Association AUCKLAND, February 9. One of the two new cruisers to be stationed in New Zealand, H.M.S. Achilles, will probably arrive in about six months and the other cruiser, H.M.S. Leander, in about twelve months, resulting iu a large increase in the personnel at the naval base, according to statements by Commodore Drummond, officer commanding the Now Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. The commodore foreshadowed a large increase in the number of New Zealand ratings. He said the Achilles would be sent out when the Diomede, now in the Mediterranean, went Home to pay off. The European situation had eased considerably, but matters were still unsettled and until there was further improvement and the position was more secure the Diomede must be kept in the Mediterranean. The arrival of the cruisers would mean a large increase in personnel at the base, representing approximately 2-50 additional ratings to each ship*, the majority being Imperial men on loan. It was hoped over a period eventually to man the new cruiser with 100 per cent, of New Zealand ratings, and about 1000 New Zealanders would be wanted in the Division. However, Imperial ratings would bo included, ns much advantage accrued fro ill the system of interchanging men, a- system which had been Begun by the speaker*s predecessor.