NEW CRUISERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20260, 8 November 1935, Page 8

NEW CRUISERS

PERSONNEL OF CREWS By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, November 7. The arrival during the next 18 months of the new cruisers Leander and Achilles to take the place of the Dunedin and Diomede has made It necessary to reconsider the question of recruiting New Zealanders and to make provision for their future prospects in regard to advancement and promotion generally. It was stated that the personnel requirements of the new ships will be about 25 per cent, greater. A committee was lately appointed to examine the position and make a recommendation to the Government. It is understood to be the Government’s wish to draw up a recruiting scheme which will have the effect in due course of increasing the number of New Zealand ratings in the Division from the present 50 per cent, to near the 100 per cent, mark, and provide a steady, even flow of promotion. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, said to-day that the recommendation of the committee would have to be considered by Cabinet. Until then he could give no particulars of the plan beyond the fact that there would be vacancies for a number of additional men.