THE NAVAL DIVISION.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1935, Page 4

THE NAVAL DIVISION.

One of the most satisfactory features of the address given at Invercargill by the officer commanding the New Zealand Navy Station, Commodore E. R. Drummond, was his statement that the aim of the Division is to man the vessels with New Zealanders. They have shown themselves capable of living up to the British naval traditions in all ranks, and the large number of applications received for the last vacancies announced shows that a seafaring career with reasonable conditions of service has an undoubted appeal z to the youth of the Dominion in all ranks of society. The appeal is likely to be increased by the recent decision of the Government to widen the avenues of promotion from lower deck ratings to commissioned rank. It is a process that requires care in development and use, but it is satisfactory to note that its application so far has justified its extension. For some years the reduction in the British naval forces and the hope that general disarmament might make further reductions possible acted as a deterrent to New Zealand boys seeking a naval career. Recent events, however regrettable, have made it clear that in future, as in the past, the wellbeing of the Empire rests to a large extent upon the strength and efficiency of the British Navy. The Dominion’s solvency certainly depends upon the safety of the sea trade routes being maintained, and there are few who will cavil at any expenditure which will put that safety beyond doubt. The decision to exercise a certain amount of self-help in this direction has been generally approved, and the employment of larger and better equipped warships, and other provision for coastal defences are likely to meet with general approval, always remembering that the purpose of the navy throughout the Empire is for defence, and not for aggression.