A.-4

41

For controlled mine - fields, the same conditions apply as regards the preparation, laying, and upkeep of the fields ; but a special branch of the Royal Marines entitled The Royal Marine Submarine Miners " has been responsible for the manning of firing and observation stations. 2. It is recommended that the same arrangement should apply in New Zealand as in England, except that the branch for manning the firing and observation stations should be specially qualified Naval ratings, who would carry out their training locally. Training in. the preparation, laying, and maintenance of all types of mines should remain, as in England, an integral part of the instructional syllabus of Torpedo officers and ratings. (F) Submarine Training. It is recommended that the system of obtaining officers and ratings for service in submarines by calling for volunteers, and the same standards of physical fitness, character, &c, as are in force in the Royal Navy should be followed. 2. It is recommended that the training of the personnel, both officers and men, for the submarines of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy be carried out in England, or in the Submarine Depot and School of the Royal Australian Navy. The numbers to be trained do not justify the cost of the creation of a separate establishment in New Zealand. 3. A small submarine parent ship has been included amongst the ships of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. (G) Anti-submarine Training. It will not be necessary to make arrangements in New Zealand for an Anti-submarine training school for training the personnel of the anti-submarine craft. 2. In my recent report to the Government of Australia the formation of an Anti-submarine School for the training of the petty officers and men required for anti - submarine duties in the Royal Australian Navy was recommended. It was pointed out that it will not be practicable to give officers of the R.A.N, a qualifying course in anti-submarine work in Australia, at any rate for some time ; but that a certain number of promising junior officers in the R.A.N. should be sent to England to go through the same courses of instruction as R.N. officers. At the same time suitable officers should be lent from the Royal Navy to staff and command the school in the first instance. 3. It is recommended that by arrangement with the Admiralty and the Government of Australia the anti-submarine personnel of the New Zealand Division shall be similarly trained—the officers being sent to England for training, and the petty officers and men to the Anti-submarine School of the Royal Australian Navy. 4. The present proposals with regard to the training of Lieutenants for antisubmarine duties are that these officers should not only be thorough experts in all submarine-detection apparatus, and able to supervise the training of personnel, but should also study the question of hunting and destroying submarines in all its aspects, and be able to suggest developments of apparatus from the seagoing point of view. When qualified as Lieutenants A/S, after a course lasting about six months, the officers would be on the same footing as regards allowances as other