The Waikato Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1911. AUSTRALIA'S NAVY.

Waikato Times, Issue 12179, 14 September 1911, Page 4

The Waikato Times THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1911. AUSTRALIA'S NAVY.

In order to man its first fleet unit, -which will I be completed before the end of next year, Australia will require 25U1 men. This is the number stipulated by Admiral Henderson, whose scheme has been adopted, and as it is estimated that the Commonwealth will ibe able to furnish only 878 men' the , Australian Naval Board will have to ask the Royal Navy to supply the remaining 1623. Provision has 'been made for the supply under the Commonwealth's new naval agreement with) the Imperial authorities, who will be asked to provide the following details Commissioned officers, 98; subordinate officers, 12 ; warrant officers 3-i ; petty officers, -J-iKj ; leading rating men, 305 ; other ratings, 768. Considerable difficulties are being experienced in the establishment!; of a training ship for Australian recruits and a| naval college for training young officers ; and delay may necessitate increased borrowing from the Imperial Navy. Of the 1623 men who will 'be required a considerable proportion will be Australians who are serving 'already on his Majesty's 1 ships. The Royal Navy contains at present 500 men who joined the service with a view to fitting themselves for positions in the Australian fleet, and it is expected that most of these men will wish to return to their own country. ProbaJbly some of the officers also will be Australians. They wfjfl'l bfc len)t to thie Commonwealth for three years, but an arrangement has l>een made for their permanent transfer under certain 'conditions at the end of thei three years' period. Of the 1479 petty officers and \mejn 816 will be recruited for five or seven years from the Royal Naval Reserve and men recently pensioned from the, Royal Navy, 103 cooks and stewards will be employed

until- there are Australian# ready to replace them, and ."j<>o men from the active ranks of the , Royal Navy will 'be engaged for three years. It is the wish of tooth the Imperial and the Commonwealth authorities to restrict the borrowing, hut until Australia cain supply all its own requirements tho Mother Navy will 'help. Probalbly | the pay offered in Australia will attract volunteers <vf a very gooc I stamp to the new navy.